10 Downing Street: Staff

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the job title of each official, adviser or civil servant who works in 10 Downing Street, part time or full time.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Details of key officials who work in the Prime Minister's Office are set out in Dod's Civil Service Companion. Copies of the edition for 2006 can be found in the Library.

Agriculture: Funding

Lord Elystan-Morgan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 2 March (WA 86), how the 11.56 per cent reduction in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' funding for sustainable farming and food research for 2006–07 compares in percentage terms with funding available for (a) climate change and energy; (b) natural resource protection; (c) sustainable consumption and production; (d) sustainable rural communities; and (e) sustainable farming and food in that financial year.

Lord Bach: Spend on sustainable food and farming research in the financial year 2006–07 will be around £34 million, a cut of approximately 11.5 per cent on the financial year 2005–06. This spend forms part of the £80.7 million allocated to Defra's "Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health and Welfare" strategic priority.
	The £80.7 million spend on this strategic priority forms 49 per cent of Defra's total research spend. In comparison, 19 per cent of research spend is on the climate change and energy strategic priority, 13 per cent is spent on the Natural Resource Protection strategic priority, 6.4 per cent on the Sustainable Consumption and Production strategic priority and 1.4 per cent on the Sustainable Rural Communities strategic priority. The remaining funds are allocated elsewhere.
	While this refocusing of Defra's research programmes will mean a reduction in our level of investment in farming and land-based research, we will continue to be a major investor in biological research on sustainable agriculture in the future.

Agriculture: Grassland

Lord Elystan-Morgan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimates they have made of the likely consequences of the cuts in financial support for grassland-based sustainable research to (a) Welsh agriculture in general and (b) the future of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in particular.

Lord Bach: Defra procures research to support Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government policies relevant to sustainable agriculture at a range of research establishments including the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER). As IGER is a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) research institute, its future is a matter for the BBSRC and the institute.
	However, as a customer for the services provided by IGER, Defra has an interest in the maintenance of areas of expertise and service provision that relate to our present and developing needs. IGER continues to be an important research partner for Defra. This is reflected in my department's continuing significant investment; we are committed to investing over £5 million in research programmes at IGER in 2006–07. No existing research programmes have been terminated early.
	Defra's needs for scientific evidence and, therefore, the expertise required within the scientific community to service these needs, are changing. This has been documented in our Science Forward Look 1 and our recent consultation document Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2 . We look to the UK science and engineering base as a whole, including public sector research institutes, the higher education institutions and the private sector, to provide the expertise required to support the delivery of our strategic priorities. 1 Evidence and innovation: Defra's needs from the sciences over the next 10 years, July 2004 www.defra.gov.uk/science/publications/documents/ScienceForwardLook3rd.pdf. 2 Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2005–08: consultation document issued October 2005; www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/ei-straiecty/eis-consultdoc.pdf.

Armed Forces: EU Battlegroup Units

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the prospects for a merger of the European Union Battlegroup units with NATO intervention force operations.

Lord Triesman: The NATO Response Force and EU Battlegroups differ both in size and in the nature of the tasks they are able to perform. There are no prospects for their merger. Given that many European countries are members of both organisations and contribute to both forces, it is a UK objective to ensure compatibility and co-operation between the forces while avoiding unnecessary duplication of military capabilities.

Armed Forces: Royal Irish Regiment

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total value of the equipment currently apportioned to the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment; what plans exist for the disposal of this equipment; and how much they estimate the equipment is likely to raise in financial terms.

Lord Drayson: Information on the total value of equipment currently apportioned to the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (R IRISH) is not held centrally and complete information could be provided only by the use of disproportionate time and effort.
	However, from the information that is held centrally I can confirm that in February 2006 the net book value of fixed assets and stock holdings apportioned to the Home Service battalions amounted to some £8,300,000.
	Equipment currently used by the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment will, wherever possible, be made available for reallocation to other units or to other theatres when no longer required by the Home Service Battalions. Such reallocations already take place on a regular basis, as requirements for holdings are reassessed. The Ministry of Defence's Disposals Services Agency will advise on equipment that is declared surplus to requirement but no estimates are currently available of likely receipts.

Arts Funding: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funds were allocated by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland in 2005; and what proportion related to (a) Irish culture, and (b) Ulster Scots culture.

Lord Rooker: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland's total budget for 2005–06 was £15,755,470. This figure includes both Lottery and Exchequer funding.
	Of this total, £387,216 was provided to organisations supporting Irish culture (2.46 per cent), while £91,292 was provided to organisations supporting Ulster Scots culture (0.58 per cent); £6,850 (0.043 per cent) was provided to an organisation which supports both cultures.

Autism: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 21 March (WA 25–27), when the maximum assessment times for children in Northern Ireland suspected of being on the autistic spectrum will be reduced to (a) 12 months or less; (b) 6 months or less; and (c) no longer than four months.

Lord Rooker: Pursuant to the Answers given on 21 March (WA 25–27), currently the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is working to reduce assessment times for children in Northern Ireland suspected of having autistic spectrum disorders. However, at this stage it is not possible to determine when these timescales for assessment will be achieved.

Autism: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 21 March (WA 25–27), how many of the 686 children suspected of being on the autistic spectrum and currently waiting up to 35 months for assessment have been waiting for (a) 30 months or more; (b) 24 to 30 months; and (c) 12 to 24 months; and when those children will have their assessment.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is not held centrally and will take some time to collate. I will write to the noble Lord with the relevant information as soon as it becomes available and place a copy in the Library.

Bangladesh: Chittagong Hill

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assistance they have given to Bangladesh on police reform in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; and whether they will propose, as part of any assistance, that the personnel of the Chittagong Hill Tracts police should be drawn from the indigenous population, as provided for under the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accords of 1997.

Baroness Amos: DfID is contributing $8 million towards a $13 million United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented police reform programme (PRP) which runs from January 2005 to January 2008. One of the components of the programme deals with human resource management and training, including developing and implementing new centrally co-ordinated recruitment practices using published, measurable selection criteria.
	The new recruitment practices aim to make the Bangladesh police more fair and representative, and specific outcomes include an increase of women police. No mention is directly made of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) indigenous communities but it is implicit that any new systems will comply with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) treaty obligations.
	The UNDP is also implementing a Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) which is 75 per cent. funded by the European Commission. It has been agreed that the police reform programme will incorporate the police element from that programme, including an extension of community policing within the CHT. Recruitment of police to fulfil these duties will be based on the new system, making applications by indigenous people more likely to be successful.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a person has a claim to British Overseas citizenship under Article 6(1) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 if (a) he was born before 30 June 1979 and acquired citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies under Section 4 or 5 of the British Nationality Act 1948; (b) he was a citizen of India solely by virtue of birth or descent; (c) immediately before 1 January 1983, he did not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom under Section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971; (d) on 1 January 1983, he acquired British Dependent Territories citizenship under section 23 of the British Nationality Act 1981 because of a connection to Hong Kong; (e) upon reaching the age of 18 he took no steps to renounce his British nationality; (f) immediately before 1 July 1997 he was a British Dependent Territories citizen, and, if it had not been for his connection with Hong Kong, he would not have been such a citizen; (g) prior to 1 July 1997 he failed to acquire the status of British National (Overseas); (h) he had not held any citizenship or nationality other than those described in (a), (b) and (d); and (i) being unaware that he may have a claim to British Overseas citizenship, he is holding or has held an Indian passport to which he was not entitled by virtue of (e) above.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Based on our current understanding of Indian citizenship law, this person would have become a British Overseas citizen under Article 6(1) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any persons who: (a) are solely British nationals; and (b) have no other nationality or citizenship; and (c) have not since 4 July 2002 renounced, voluntarily relinquished or lost through action or inaction any citizenship or nationality; and (d) do not have an entitlement to acquire British citizenship or the citizenship of any country; and what steps they are taking under their obligations to reduce statelessness to ensure that such persons can acquire a proper citizenship.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Some British Nationals (Overseas) and British overseas territories citizens may be in the position described by the noble Lord. If there are any, the fact that they have a form of British nationality means that they are not stateless.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House any documents dated 5 July 2002 or earlier setting out the reasoning for making provision for certain British nationals without other citizenship to register as British citizens under Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We see no need to do this. The Government's reasoning was fully explained to Parliament during the passage of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. On 24 April 2002 the then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, undertook "to examine the possibility of an alternative arrangement [to the Special Voucher Scheme] for British Overseas citizens who have no other nationality but who, under the existing complex historical circumstances, are not able to enter the country. It would be right for us to do that, as we have a moral obligation to them going back a long way, and it is unfinished business".—[Official Report, Commons, 24/4/02; col. 354]. On 4 July 2002, the then Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, Beverley Hughes, announced that "Following representation made during the passage of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill about the continuing difficulties faced by British overseas citizens who have no other nationality, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has decided that those British Overseas citizens who do not hold and have never given up another nationality will be given an entitlement to register as British citizens. We are doing this to address the situation which left those people concerned with no right of abode in any country. An amendment to this effect will be made to the Bill at Report Stage in the House of Lords. Applicants will be dealt with at our posts overseas and will not need to meet any United Kingdom residence requirements. There will be no deadline for applications".—[Official Report, Commons, 4/7/02; col. 527W]. In moving the amendment that now has effect as Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981, on 9 October 2002, Lord Filkin said: "We have since (the Home Secretary's Statement of 24 April 2002) concluded that a similar obligation is owed to British subjects and to British protected persons without other nationalities".—[Official Report, 9/10/02; col. 285].

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March (WA 91) on the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, what measures they propose to take in view of the payment of £1,074 million to third parties to deliver compensation of £1,779 million to the claimants; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March (WA 91) on the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, what measures they propose to take in view of the estimated payment of £1,491 million to third parties to deliver estimated compensation of £2,451 million to the claimants.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The department continually strives to achieve efficiency savings in the operation of the scheme, for example through efficiency improvements at our claims handlers and savings on contract retenders. The department, with the miners' solicitors, have also introduced radical change to the scheme—the "fast track" option—to improve its effectiveness.
	But third party costs still have to be met under the terms of the claims handling agreement. The biggest third party cost to the department is solicitors' fees. Legal cost structures were largely negotiated at a time when the anticipated volumes of cases under the schemes were considerably lower than has proved to be the case. Higher than anticipated volumes of cases undoubtedly bring opportunities for batch processing and reduced costs per case. This is an issue the department is already actively pursuing. In particular, we consider that the level of solicitor fees set for the new "fast-track" option should require significantly less input by solicitors and should therefore incur considerably reduced costs.
	We appealed the judge's initial ruling on this. The Court of Appeal upheld our action and the issue has been referred back to the scheme judge to reconsider in the light of the Court of Appeal's judgment.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March (WA 91) on the British Coal vibration white finger litigation, what measures they propose to take in view of the payment of £219 million to third parties to deliver compensation of £1,248 million to the claimants; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March (WA 91–2) on the future conduct of the British Coal vibration white finger litigation, what measures they propose to take in view of the estimated payment of £429 million to deliver estimated compensation of £1,640 million to the claimants.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The department continually strives to achieve efficiency savings in the operation of the schemes, for example through efficiency improvements at our claims handlers and through contract retenders. The report of the external review of the schemes, published in December 2005 noted that savings of £16.5 million are forecast as a result of the World Class programme introduced in 2004.
	But third party costs have to be met under the terms of the claims handling agreement. The biggest third party cost to the department is solicitors' fees. Legal cost structures were largely negotiated at a time when the anticipated volumes of cases under the schemes were considerably lower than has proved to be the case. Higher than anticipated volumes of cases undoubtedly bring opportunities for batch processing and reduced costs per case. This is an issue the department is already actively pursuing. There are areas where we have yet to reach agreement with the claimants' solicitors on costs and we will be pursuing these vigorously to ensure they reflect work done and a reasonable level of return.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March (WA 91–2) on the British Coal compensation litigation, what is their view of the payment of £750 million to claimants' solicitors and the possible further future payment to them of an estimated £1,330 million; and whether such expenditure would be better utilised in the regeneration of the former mining communities.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Legal cost structures were largely negotiated at a time when the anticipated volumes of cases under the schemes were considerably lower than has proved to be the case. Higher than anticipated volumes of cases undoubtedly bring opportunities for batch processing and reduced costs per case. This is an issue the department is already actively pursuing.
	In particular, we consider that the level of solicitor fees set for the new "fast-track" approach we have implemented for the respiratory disease scheme should require significantly less input by solicitors and should therefore incur considerably reduced costs.
	We appealed the judge's initial ruling on this. The Court of Appeal upheld our action and the issue has been referred back to the scheme judge to reconsider in the light of the Court of Appeal's judgment.
	There are also other areas where we have yet to reach agreement with the claimants' solicitors on costs and we will be pursuing these equally vigorously to ensure they reflect work done and a reasonable level of return.
	Solicitors' costs are paid under the claims handling agreements within the framework of the group litigation for the two coal schemes. It is not an issue of whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.

British Coal Compensation

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March (WA 91) concerning the continuance of the British Coal respiratory disease litigation into 2009, whether they will review the exclusion of surface workers from the scheme.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: During a debate on 7 February, my honourable friend the Minister for Energy confirmed again that the department is not denying all liability for surface workers, but is not able to deal with compensation for these workers within the current major lung disease scheme. He made clear that the way forward is for those who think they have a claim to put it forward on normal common law basis and committed the department to review progress of such claims, consider any generic issues arising and report back to the House of Commons in due course.
	He also noted that potential claimants might be deterred by worry about financial exposure if they lost their case, but urged unions and solicitors who have profited from the coal schemes to find a way to protect such individuals by underwriting any losses.

Cancer: Bowel

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the drug Avastin is widely used in the National Health Service for the treatment of bowel cancer.

Lord Warner: This information is not collected centrally.
	Bevacizumab (Avastin), in combination with irinotecan, is currently licensed for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic bowel cancer.
	Bevacizumab has been referred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for appraisal. In the interim, there are no national restrictions on, or guidelines for, prescribing Bevacizumab on the National Health Service for patients who fit the licensed indication.
	Funding for licensed treatments should not be withheld because guidance from NICE is unavailable. In these circumstances, we expect primary care trusts to take full account of available evidence when reaching funding decisions. This is confirmed in Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the treatment or technology first became available.

Capita

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the most recent year for which figures are available, which government contracts were awarded to Capita plc or any of its subsidiaries without a competitive tender; and what was the value of each such contract.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Her Majesty's Government do not centrally collate or hold this information and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The majority of government contracts are subject either to the public procurement regulations or to departmental rules which require competitive tendering.

Capita

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the total number and value of contracts they have awarded to Capita plc, including any of its subsidiaries, in each of the latest five years for which figures are available.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Her Majesty's Government do not centrally collate or hold full information on all contracts awarded to Capita plc and its subsidiaries, and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

China: Human Organs

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the banning by the Government of China of the sale and purchase of human organs; and whether they will make representations to the Government of China against the removal of organs from prisoners.

Lord Triesman: The Chinese Ministry of Health has issued a new regulation to come into effect on 1 July, which will ban the sale of organs and introduce medical standards for organ transplants. The Government welcome this step.
	The Government are concerned about the practice of prisoners subject to the death penalty in China donating their organs. Despite Chinese government assurances that prisoners agree to the donations voluntarily and that, in some cases, their families are paid, we are concerned about the use of these prisoners' organs. The Government believe that the right approach is to seek to overcome the social taboo of organ transplants and encourage donation from the general population.

Climate Change

Lord Palmer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether climate change is expected to affect adversely United Kingdom food production; and, if so, what measures are planned to offset this.

Lord Bach: Climate scenarios suggest that climate change impacts do not appear to threaten the viability of the UK agricultural industry as a whole. UK agriculture is highly adaptable and most effects of weather-related changes are already within the experience of farmers. There may also be opportunities to grow new crops. But particular regions and individual farmers need to be aware of changes, especially in regard to water supplies, so they are able to deal with the risks and opportunities in good time.
	The recently published Climate Change Programme and the new UK Adaptation Policy Framework lay out a clear framework for action. The Government will continue to fund research on impacts and adaptation responses for land managers and will be working to transmit clearer advice to farmers through a variety of channels including the Rural Climate Change Forum.

Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 22 March (WA 56) concerning the refusal of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland to grant aid to the FAIR organisation, whether they will place in the Library of the House all related papers, including minutes of meetings and the applications.

Lord Rooker: I confirm, further to my Written Answer on 22 March concerning the refusal of two Peace II applications to FAIR (Families Acting for Innocent Relatives), that a copy of the application documents, minutes of meetings and all related material will be placed in the Library of the House in due course. The timing of this will be dependent on the clearance of any reviews which are currently under way and of commercial in confidence issues.

Consultants: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Lord Smith of Clifton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent each year on external management consultants by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its agencies from 2000 to 2005.

Lord Triesman: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) expenditure specifically on external management consultants is not categorised separately from that for external consultancy as a whole. The information could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, expenditure on external consultants in general is reported annually in the FCO's departmental report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The vast majority of the work undertaken for the FCO by consultants in each year since 2000 was associated with our major information communications technology and estate construction programmes.
	Overall expenditure on external consultants since 2000 is:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2000–01 17.9 
			 2001–02 20.1 
			 2002–03 23.7 
			 2003–04 23.2 
			 2004–05 24.1 
		
	
	Expenditure for 2005–06 will be collated and published in the FCO's departmental report in April 2007.
	The FCO's sole executive agency, Wilton Park, incurred no expenditure on management consultancy during these years.

Consultants: Treasury

Lord Smith of Clifton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent each year on external management consultants by H M Treasury and its agencies from 2000 to 2005.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The available figures for spending on consultancy are set out in the table below.
	
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
			  £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 
			 HM Treasury 1,667 1,160 3,030 6,160 4,910 
			 Office of GovernmentCommerce — — — 4,218 5,712 
			 Debt Management Office 890 319 560 525 768 
		
	
	Consultancy costs in the table do not include capital spending.
	The Treasury's spending on consultants includes, since 2002–03, fees to Partnerships UK for its work providing project and policy support to the Treasury and other public bodies on the development, procurement and implementation of public/private partnerships.
	Information on OGC's own consultancy spending for years prior to 2003–04 could be disaggregated from costs of services engaged on behalf of other bodies only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on OGCbuying.solutions' own consultancy spending could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dyslexia: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have proposals to increase the support in the education system for children in Northern Ireland with dyslexia.

Lord Rooker: Yes. The Department of Education (DE) has provided substantial additional resources to provide further support for children in Northern Ireland with dyslexia.
	From 2004–05 to 2007–08, DE will have provided extra resources of £2 million to the five ELBs to provide training for teachers in identification techniques and teaching strategies and it is planned that from 2007–08 a further £1 million per annum will be allocated from the priorities and budget 2006–08.
	DE has also given support in a number of ways towards the production of classroom resources for use in schools.

Energy Efficiency

Baroness Perry of Southwark: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 2 March (WA 91), whether the 2004 Building Research Establishment study of 99 houses explicitly stated that less than 5 per cent. of the expected carbon gains from the 2002 revision of building regulations were lost through non-compliance; if so, where this was stated; and, if not, whether they will publish in full the analysis upon which this conclusion was based.

Lord Bach: The Building Research Establishment's paper to which I referred does not contain an explicit reference to 5 per cent. The 5 per cent. figure (4.6 per cent. rounded up) was calculated from the information contained in section 7.1 of the paper, and is the percentage difference between the mean calculated emissions for the design of 19.5 kg/m 2 /yr and the mean as-built emissions of 20.4 kg/m 2 /yr.

EU: Common Foreign and Security Policy

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will raise at an early meeting of the European Union Council of Ministers the size of the European Union common foreign and security policy budget; and whether the budget is sufficient to fund such policies.

Lord Triesman: The General Affairs and External Relations Council is due to discuss the inter-institutional agreement on the 2007–13 financial perspective at its meeting on 10 April. The common foreign and security policy (CFSP) budget is likely to be considered as part of this discussion. The presidency has not yet proposed an agenda for the European Council in June.
	Under the UK presidency, EU Ministers agreed an increase of the CFSP budget from €62 million for 2005 to €102.6 million for 2006. My right honourable friend the Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander, said in the evidence session to the House of Lords European Union Committee on 2 February that the CFSP budget should be adequate to the scale of challenges that potentially may arise. Any further increases to the CFSP budget need to be based on requirements and assessment of the effectiveness of the budget for 2006.

EU: South America

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What specific proposals they will submit to the Austrian European Union Presidency, reflecting British interests and priorities, to add to the suggestions for greater European Union involvement in Latin America, in readiness for the European Union–South American summit in May.

Lord Triesman: The Austrian presidency of the EU, which is responsible for organising the EU/Latin America and Caribbean summit in Vienna in May, is currently discussing preparations with European member states, Latin American and Caribbean governments and the European Commission. The Government are closely involved in these preparations and are working through the presidency to help ensure a focused summit. Suggestions for greater EU involvement in Latin America will be agreed only at the summit.

EU: Trade Marks Office

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the functioning and efficiency of the European Union Trade Marks Office in Alicante is satisfactory, with particular regard to the proportion of activity involving United Kingdom officials and the benefits accruing to United Kingdom businesses.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The performance of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM), which grants trade mark and Community design rights, is reported on that organisation's website. It has achieved noticeable improvements on a number of indicators recently. OHIM is overseen by an administrative board and budget committee on which the United Kingdom sits, alongside representatives from all the member states of the European Union and from the European Commission.
	Currently OHIM directly employs a number of United Kingdom nationals together with five members of staff on secondment from the United Kingdom Patent Office. In 2005 some 6,661 applications were filed by applicants from the United Kingdom, which accounted for 11.3 per cent of the total number of trade marks filed in that year at OHIM. Since 1996 British businesses have registered 37,299 trade marks with OHIM, or 12 per cent of the total registered. In each case, the registration constitutes a unitary right covering the whole of the European Union.

Euro: Five Economic Tests

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether HM Treasury's original five economic tests for entry into the eurozone by the United Kingdom retain their validity in view of the passage of time and changed economic and financial circumstances.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government's policy on membership of the single currency is unchanged. It remains as set out by the Chancellor in his Statement to the House of Commons in October 1997, and again in his Statement on the five tests assessment in June 2003. The determining factor underpinning any government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous.

Field Sports

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the observation by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the "Today" programme on 6 March on getting rid of "all the other blood sports" reflects government policy.

Lord Bach: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made the comment "I've always said that when we get rid of all the other blood sports there'll still be the House of Commons" during her interview. It was designed to illustrate the heated debate among honourable Members of another place and had nothing to do with policy intentions.
	It was made absolutely clear in the Government's 2005 rural manifesto that we have no intention of placing restrictions on the sports of angling and shooting. The Hunting Act already includes exemptions to facilitate shooting. Steps to promote shooting and fishing have been taken jointly by the Ministers for Sport and Rural Affairs.

Firearms: Airguns

Lord Brougham and Vaux: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many offences involving airguns have been committed in England and Wales by (a) 17 year-olds, and (b) those over 18 years old since the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 came into force.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The requested data are not collected centrally.

Firearms: Airguns

Lord Brougham and Vaux: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many offences involving airguns were committed in England and Wales by 17 year-olds for the last period for which age-specific figures are available.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The requested data are not collected centrally.

Firearms: Airguns

Lord Geddes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many offences involving an airgun have been committed by 17 year-olds who bought the airgun from a commercial dealer.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The requested data are not held centrally.

Firearms: Crime Statistics

Lord Glenarthur: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether changes to the recording of firearms crime statistics will be made to include information on the age of offenders.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There are no plans to collect data on the age of offenders. A firearm return is completed at the early stage of an investigation, when the offence is recorded, and in the majority of cases no suspect will have been apprehended.

Fish

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many wild- caught fish destined for the pet trade and aquaria of (a) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) species; and (b) non-CITES species were imported into (i) the European Union, and (ii) the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and
	What assessment they have made of the impact on biodiversity of the trade in wild-caught fish as pets; and
	What schemes are in place to certify that wild-caught fish destined for the pet trade are from sustainable stocks.

Lord Bach: No Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listed wild-caught fish have been imported into the UK for the pet trade and for aquaria in the last five years. The department does not hold information on EU imports of CITES-listed wild-caught fish, nor on imports of non-CITES species.
	To date, Defra has not made any generic assessment of the impact on biodiversity of the trade in wild-caught fish as pets. However, the Darwin Initiative has funded a range of research and capacity building projects on the sustainable management of wild populations. One such project, led by the Zoological Society of London, is working on sustainable management of Ornamental Fish Species in Mamiraua, in the Brazilian Amazon.
	For the small number of fish species listed in the CITES appendices, EU regulations mean we must be satisfied that the trade will not be detrimental to the conservation of the species before a permit can be issued to import them. The European Commission can also suspend trade in CITES species where it is considered to be unsustainable.
	Although this mechanism is not available to regulate trade in the many non-CITES fish species, it is open to any party to make a case to list more fish species on CITES. Meanwhile the Government are keeping the ornamental fish trade under review, and proposals are currently before the EU member states to list a number of fish species on annexe D of the CITES regulations for monitoring purposes.
	Outside of government, the Marine Aquarium Council is also working to create market incentives for sustainably managed resources and has established a certification process to help ensure that the collection and trade in aquatic species is environmentally sound.

Flags: Northern Ireland

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each of the following public buildings in Armagh City, (a) whether the Union flag has been provided; (b) whether the Union flag was flown on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March 2006; and (c) whether anyone is employed with the specific responsibility of hoisting the Union flag on designated dates: (i) the Courthouse, the Mall; (ii) the Crown Buildings, Alexander Road; (iii) the Southern Education Board, Beresford Row; (iv) the Southern Education Board, Charlemont Place; (v) the Department of Agriculture, The Mall; (vi) the Department of Agriculture, 2 Newry Road; (vii) the Library, Market Street; (viii) the Armagh and Dungannon Health and Social Services Trust, Gosford Place; (ix) the Roads Service, Ballinahone; and (x) the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency, Hamiltonsbawn Road.

Lord Rooker: The flag regulations govern the flying of the Union flag from government buildings in Northern Ireland, which are defined as buildings wholly or mainly occupied by members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. The flag must be flown on designated days at government buildings where it was the practice to fly the flag on designated days in the 12 months ending on 30 November 1999. Other government buildings have discretion to fly the flag on designated days. The flying of flags from other buildings is unregulated, although in practice many public and civic authorities choose to fly the Union flag at their buildings on the same days as government buildings.
	Of the buildings listed in the question, five are government buildings and five are public buildings. It was the practice for all five government buildings to fly the Union flag on designated days in the 12 months before 30 November 1999 and they are therefore obliged to fly the flag on designated days, in accordance with the flags regulations. Unfortunately on this occasion, due to an oversight, the flag was not flown on St Patrick's Day at DVTA, Hamiltonsbawn Road. Of the five public buildings, three choose to fly the flag on the same days as government buildings and two do not. The table below sets out the specific individual responses to the questions raised, as well as specifying whether a building is classed as a government or public building.
	
		
			 Buildings in Armagh city Government or public building? Has a Union flag been provided? Was the Union flag flown on 17 March 2006? Is anyone employed with the specific responsibility of hoisting the Union flag on designated dates? 
			 The Courthouse, the Mall Public Yes Yes No 
			 The Crown Buildings, Alexander Road Government Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Southern Education and Library Board,Beresford Row Public Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Southern Education and Library Board,Charlemont Place Public Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Department of Agriculture, the Mall Government Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Department of Agriculture, 2 Newry Road Government Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Library, Market Street Public No No No 
			 The Armagh and Dungannon Health & SocialServices Trust, Gosford Place Public No No Yes 
			 The Roads Service, Ballinahone Government Yes Yes Yes 
			 The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency,Hamiltonsbawn Road Government Yes No Yes

Fluoride

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House the guidance issued to National Health Service dental practitioners regarding the prescription of fluoride supplements to (a) children under 16, and (b) adults.

Lord Warner: The guidance is on pages 488–89 of the September 2005 edition of the British National Formulary published jointly by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Fluoride

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which primary care trusts in England have published a dental strategy that includes artificial water fluoridation.

Lord Warner: The information requested is not available centrally. The Department of Health has encouraged all primary care trusts with high levels of tooth decay to consider the option of fluoridated water. Section 89 of the Water Industry Act 1991 makes strategic health authorities (SHAs) responsible for conducting consultations on fluoridation. No SHA is currently consulting on a proposal for a new fluoridation scheme.

Football: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past five years, which football clubs in Northern Ireland have received public funding; for what projects the funding was provided and how much funding was involved; and whether they will put forward proposals to provide funding to Linfield Football Club to upgrade its stadium.

Lord Rooker: These figures have been placed in the Library.
	Responsibility for putting forward proposals to provide funding to Linfield Football Club to upgrade its stadium rests with the club and the Irish Football Association (IFA). The IFA has put forward proposals for the upgrading of Linfield Football Club's stadium out of moneys set aside for the soccer strategy. Following advice from the Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI), which is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding, Linfield Football Club is undertaking an independent audit of its stadium in conjunction with the IFA.

Foreign and Defence Policy

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold discussions with the United States Government to seek to ensure that joint United States/United Kingdom foreign and defence policy formulations meet the broad aims of the United Nations in the same fields.

Lord Triesman: The Government are in regular contact with the United States Government on foreign and defence policy issues. As a party to the Charter of the United Nations, the United Kingdom is committed to foreign and defence policies consistent with the purposes and principles set out in that charter.

Graffiti

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to increase the powers of local authorities in Northern Ireland to authorise the removal of graffiti.

Lord Rooker: The Department of the Environment is considering the wide range of measures in the recent Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, including those designed to give local authorities in England and Wales more effective control over the problems of graffiti, with a view to making proposals on how best to bring forward a cleaner neighbourhoods agenda in Northern Ireland.
	As part of this work an initial cleaner neighbourhoods consultation document seeking views on a wide range of local environmental quality issues, including graffiti, is expected to be issued by the department by the end of May 2006.

Grant Aid: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure issue letters of offer of grant aid for events after they have taken place; and, if so, on what occasions since 1 January 2001 this has occurred.

Lord Rooker: Yes, since 1 January 2001 the Department of Culture, Arts and leisure has issued one letter of offer of grant aid for an event after it had taken place. This occurred on 13 March 2006, when Feile an Phobail was sent a letter of offer for West Belfast Festival held from 29 July to 7 August 2005. This letter followed up one sent on 22 July 2005, which requested further information before a letter of offer could be issued in respect of the 2005 festival.

Gulf War Syndrome

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, in view of their unreserved acceptance of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal's decision of 9 December 2005 to allow the appeal of Gulf War veteran Mark McGreevy, they have continued to require more and more medical information from him; and why his case was still unresolved by the date of the Lord Drayson's Written Answer on 13 March (WA 287).

Lord Drayson: It is not unusual for the Veterans Agency to seek further medical information when assessing the level of disablement under the War Pensions Scheme following a Pensions Appeal Tribunal decision. This ensures that the appellant is given both a proper and fair assessment based on the relevant medical evidence made available to the Veterans Agency medical advisers. In the case of Mr McGreevy, the Veterans Agency received final medical details at the end of February and, after normal consideration, has notified him of the level of his award.

Housing: Rural Areas

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have received from the Rural Advocate or the Commission for Rural Communities with regard to the Government proposal to remove the restriction on equity ownership from rural shared ownership schemes from April 2006.

Baroness Andrews: The Commission for Rural Communities responded to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consultation HomeBuy—expanding the opportunity to own which was published in April 2005 expressing support for restricting staircasing in rural areas.
	No further representations have been received from either the rural advocate or the Commission for Rural Communities on this issue.

Housing: Rural Areas

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 16 February (WA 197), whether the implementation of the proposal to remove the restriction on equity ownership from rural shared ownership schemes will be delayed until after the Affordable Rural Housing Commission has reported.

Baroness Andrews: I refer the noble Baroness to my response to the noble Lord, Lord Carter, on 22 March (col. 238) in which I confirmed that we will continue to allow housing associations to restrict staircasing on rural exception sites where this is possible and appropriate under leasehold legislation.
	The Government will consider the findings and recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission when it reports in the spring.

Housing: Rural Areas

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the impact that their proposal to remove the restriction on equity ownership from rural shared ownership schemes will have on the number of future rural shared ownership schemes.

Baroness Andrews: I refer the noble Baroness to my answer to the noble Lord, Lord Carter, on 22 March (col. 238).
	The Government consider that allowing housing associations to impose a restriction on equity ownership where appropriate, plus the other safeguards provided within the new HomeBuy scheme to enable affordable housing to be retained, including enabling landlords to nominate purchasers and buy back properties, should ensure delivery.
	As announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place on 22 March, we will deliver 35,000 new low-cost home-ownership homes over 2006–08 through our new HomeBuy scheme with increased investment of £970 million through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme in both rural and urban areas.
	The Government will continue to monitor the delivery of the rural programme in conjunction with the Housing Corporation.

Housing: Rural Areas

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have received from parish councils, district councils and the private sector on the removal of the 80 per cent. restriction from registered social landlords who specialise in providing affordable homes in smaller rural settlements, in particular the Rural Housing Trust; and whether most of these bodies support the changes.

Baroness Andrews: I refer the noble Baroness to my answer of 22 March to the noble Lord, Lord Carter, (col. 238). We will continue to allow housing associations to restrict staircasing on rural exception sites where appropriate.
	The Government have received 89 representations from parish councils, district councils and the private sector, including the Rural Housing Trust, on the issue of allowing purchasers under the HomeBuy scheme to increase their equity stake to 100 per cent. Details are set out in the table below.
	This is in addition to the 131 respondents who responded to the question on whether staircasing should be restricted in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consultation document HomeBuy—expanding the opportunity to own published in April 2005. The majority of respondents, including the Rural Housing Trust, supported restrictions in rural areas but a significant minority identified some potential legal and other difficulties with this approach.
	
		Representation made to Her Majesty's Government since the Government published our response to the HomeBuy consultation in September 2005.
		
			  Restrictions to apply 
			 Public Sector 
			 Borough Councils 4  
			 District Councils 9 
			 Parish Councils 17 
			 Town Councils 6 
			 (Rural) "Community Councils" 5 
			   
			 Private Sector  
			 Housing Associations/Rural Housing Trusts 22 
			 Individuals / Groups 23 
			 Rural Community Groups 3 
			 Totals 89 
		
	
	Breakdown of responses to Q.10 in the HomeBuy Consultation Paper—"Do you think there would be circumstances in which 'staircasing-up' should be restricted? If so, in what circumstances might this be desirable?"
	The following table gives details of the responses received suggesting that restrictions on staircasing should/should not apply in small rural areas.
	
		
			  Restrictions toapply Restrictions not to apply 
			 Borough Councils 4 3 
			 County Councils 1  
			 District Councils 26 2 
			 Metropolitan BoroughCouncils 1 2 
			 Regional Councils 1  
			 Regional Assemblies 1  
			 Unitary Authorities 4 1 
			 (Rural) CommunityCouncils 5  
			
			 Private Sector   
			 Housing Associations 30 26 
			 Individuals/Groups 11 6 
			 Rural CommunityGroups   
			 Rural Advocate for RuralCommunities 1  
			 Totals 85 40 
			  68% 32%

Human Rights Act 1998

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the Human Rights Act 1998 is not subject to the concept of implied repeal.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Human Rights Act 1998 contains no provision expressly excluding it from the concept of implied repeal. However, Section 3 of the Act requires that all legislation, when enacted, should be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with the convention rights. If this is not possible in respect of primary legislation, a court may make a declaration of incompatibility under Section 4 of the Act. This may limit the extent to which later legislation can effect implied repeal of the provisions of the Act.

Immigration: Removal Centres

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What conclusions they draw from the statistics of self-harm at immigration removal centres given on the Home Office website; and what is their assessment of the variation in the incidence of self-harm between the centres.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Incidences of self-harm in the removal estate range from the very minor to those more serious attempts which require medical treatment. Detainees who self-harm may be treated within the centre or externally in hospital as appropriate. Most incidences, fortunately, occur at the lower end of the scale. There may be many reasons for the variation in incidences of self-harm between centres—length of stay, size and location of centre, fear of imminent removal and frustration of the removal process. All detainee custody officers in removal centres are trained to the standard delivered within the Prison Service to help identify and prevent suicide and self-harm. They are also trained in accordance with their particular centre's own suicide and self-harm prevention strategy and procedures. Additionally, notices in various languages are displayed in all centres setting out that, where a detainee has a concern about a fellow detainee, this should be brought to the attention of a member of staff.

Immigration: Zimbabwe

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 9 March (WA 178), whether they will reconsider their refusal to permit failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe to obtain employment or social security during the period in which they have to remain in the United Kingdom, on the ground that they are a special case in view of the conditions obtaining in Zimbabwe and the need to avoid them becoming destitute.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The policy remains unchanged from that set out in the previous Written Answer. NASS (National Asylum Support Service) support remains available under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to unsuccessful asylum seekers from Zimbabwe who appear to be destitute and who are unable to leave the United Kingdom immediately. We are awaiting the outcome of a Court of Appeal judgment on returns to Zimbabwe which is expected by 12 April. We will consider this and will shape our future approach to enforced returns to Zimbabwe in the light of that judgment.

InterTradeIreland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What complaints have been received by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning alleged religious discrimination and financial practices at Inter Trade Ireland.

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland received recently a copy of an anonymous letter containing allegations about the financial management, equality of opportunity and other matters in InterTradelreland. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in conjunction with the southern co-sponsor department and the Board of InterTradelreland, has already initiated urgent enquiries into the issues raised in the letter.

Iraq: Casualties

Lord Garden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the most recent reports of Iraqi casualties that have been received from the Iraqi health authorities.

Lord Triesman: The Iraqi Ministry of Health published figures last year which show that there were 6,629 Iraqi deaths and 23,838 wounded between April 2004 and April 2005. The Iraqi Government have not yet made available figures for the period beyond April 2005. We continue to press the Iraqi Government to release the most up-to-date figures.

Iraq: Incapacitated Veterans

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to address the publicly expressed concerns of incapacitated veterans of the Iraq war, including those of Corporal David Corrigan, since the deployment in 2003; and whether any change of policy on the treatment of such veterans is being considered.

Lord Drayson: The Ministry of Defence takes the medical treatment of its Armed Forces very seriously, and the care we provide is intended to encompass the whole course of their treatment, from the point of injury to eventual discharge from medical care.
	Mobilised reservists are entitled to receive the same treatment as regular personnel.
	Appropriate medical support is provided in-theatre when personnel are on deployment, and a range of establishments in the UK are able to offer further specialised treatment as required. As well as the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) within the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust (UHBFT) at Selly Oak, there are a further six Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) located within NHS hospitals across the country, enabling military patients there to obtain the high standards of treatment available in the NHS hospital, and allowing the Defence Medical Services to take advantage of NHS expertise.
	We also have 15 Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) in the UK and Germany to provide assessment and treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders. Patients are referred from unit medical facilities where the simpler injuries would be diagnosed and treated. A Multidisciplinary Injury Assessment Clinic (MIAC) team within each RRU is responsible for providing an assessment and diagnostic service. The MIAC has rapid access to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanning or other imaging if required. It then determines the most appropriate rehabilitation plan for the patient. This includes rapid access to orthopaedic surgery when clinically indicated, with every patient having a post-operative rehabilitation plan before surgery.
	Where appropriate, personnel may be referred for further treatment to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court, which provides high-quality medical care, rehabilitation, prosthetics and adaptations for service personnel.
	The MoD is also committed to providing appropriate healthcare to those servicemen and women suffering from mental health problems. This is based on a community-based approach so as to ensure that personnel have better, more timely and more convenient access to mental healthcare. To meet this commitment we have 15 defence community mental health teams across the UK, plus other satellite centres overseas. In-patient care, if required, is provided by the Priory Group. In addition to this, while personnel are in theatre, we provide appropriate levels of support from trained mental health staff based either in the UK or in theatre.
	The MoD is also working on a number of further initiatives, relating for example to the prevention and management of problems arising from operational stress and to the need to address issues of stigma and discrimination. We have work in hand to ensure that those leaving the services can recognise the signs of stress and know where to go for help.
	The MoD also has the discretion to meet the costs of treatment related to injuries of illnesses for which a war pension is paid, but not where that treatment is provided free under the UK legislation, such as through the NHS. In 2004–05, the charity Combat Stress received £2.8 million in respect of such treatment.
	Although I cannot comment on the individual case of Corporal Corrigan for reasons of medical confidentiality, I can confirm that his claims about the circumstances surrounding his treatment have been the subject of full investigations, and the MoD continues to be in regular contact with him, to ensure that he receives the full benefits to which he is entitled.

Irish Language Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, since 2001, the Irish Language Body has spent funding on visits or other activities outside the island of Ireland; and, if so, for what purpose.

Lord Rooker: I would refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 22 March 2006 (Official Report col. WA59).
	Foras na Gaeilge has told me that it has incurred expenditure outside the island of Ireland since 2001 and that it did so in furtherance of its statutory remit.

Israel and Palestine: Peace Process

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Union portion of the Quartet dealing with the Middle East peace process will make representations to the government of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority on the priority need to adhere to the requirements of international law and the original United Nations resolutions in any resumption of negotiations.

Lord Triesman: We, along with our EU partners, have stressed and will continue to stress to both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority the need to adhere to international law.
	Any final status issues will need to be negotiated between the parties. These negotiations should take into account all aspects of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said on 15 March to the Foreign Affairs Committee, "we remain committed to the key resolutions, Security Council resolution 242 and 338, and on 1373. That is our position and we have actively supported the policy set out in the Road Map, and that remains our position".

Learning Disability

Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people with a learning disability are living as in-patients in (a) National Health Service residential accommodation; (b) National Health Service campuses; and (c) independent hospitals, broken down by region and local authority area; and
	What was the average daily number of available beds for people with a learning disability in National Health Service trusts in England in each year since 1997, including the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by type of facility; and
	How many beds were available in independent hospitals in England for people with a learning disability in each year since 1997; and
	What progress has been made towards the closure of all National Health Service in-patient facilities for people with a learning disability in (a) long-stay National Health Service hospitals, and (b) National Health Service campuses.

Lord Warner: Where it is not shown in this reply, the information requested, including the tables, has been placed in the Library.
	The Valuing People White Paper (2001) says that people with learning disabilities should be supported to live independently, which includes being supported to live in ordinary housing in their local communities. Approximately 2,900 people with learning disabilities live as in-patients in National Health Service residential accommodation. The White Paper Our health, our care, our say says we want to end this type of institutional provision as these settings limit choices and give poorer outcomes whereas community-based settings enable a greater degree of independence and inclusion.
	The most recent available breakdown of provision of NHS residential accommodation by strategic health authority for 2003–04 is shown in table 1.
	The information requested on the average daily number of available beds is not held centrally.
	Information for 2005–06 on the number of independent sector beds for people with learning disabilities is collected by the Healthcare Commission as part of the national ethnicity census, in conjunction with the Mental Health Act Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. This is shown in table 2. Further information available from the Healthcare Commission for 2003–04 is provided in table 3.
	Comparable data for independent hospitals in earlier years do not exist.
	As of January 2006, 239 people are living in long-stay hospitals. There are 10 long-stay hospitals currently open. The 2001 White Paper Valuing People contained a commitment to review the situation of all people with learning disabilities living in NHS "campus-style" facilities. In order to facilitate the performance management of this task, the Institute for Health Research at Lancaster University was commissioned to undertake a survey of the nature of long-stay beds and residential places provided by NHS trusts.
	Table 4 shows the number of long-stay hospital beds and NHS residential places from 1997–2004. Over the eight-year period the following occurred.
	Long-stay hospital beds reduced from 7,527 to 2,769; a reduction of 63 per cent.
	Residential places reduced from 3,433 to 2,882; a reduction of 16 per cent.
	Total provision reduced from 10,960 to 5,651; a reduction of 48 per cent.
	The figures provided in tables 1 and 4 are incomplete, as only about a third of private-sector hospitals provided figures in 2003–04. There is a current undertaking of work to improve the detail of data through local surveys; the first stages of this work will be available in May 2006. The next survey on long-stay hospitals will start on 1 April 2006.
	Plans to support progress of closure of NHS residential accommodation and to monitor closure are currently under way with the Care Services Improvement Partnership.

Mental Health: Northern Ireland

Lord Alderdice: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have examined the experience in other countries of the need, in the aftermath of inter-communal strife, for specific psychological services to address the psychological impact suffered by individuals and communities.

Lord Warner: The Government have not directly examined the experience of this need in other countries.

Ministerial Accommodation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the criteria governing the circumstances in which, and the terms under which, former Ministers are permitted to live in grace and favour accommodation at public expense.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Official residences are assigned to Ministers by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister either on grounds of security or in order to allow them to better perform their official duties.
	Former Ministers may be permitted to remain in an official residence while their security is reviewed or to allow them reasonable time to find an alternative home.

Mobile Phones

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will follow up the European Union Commission's request to mobile phone companies to reduce call charges for customers using phone sets outside their own country of residence with an initiative along similar lines within the United Kingdom.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The European Commission recently announced plans for the regulation of so-called "international roaming" charges—where a mobile phone user makes a call to or from abroad, so that it needs to be carried over more than one operator's network. Charges for the equivalent type of call within the UK are already subject to regulatory control. The independent regulator for the communications sector—Ofcom (the Office of Communications)—rather than Ministers, has the power to carry out such regulation, under provisions in the Communications Act 2003, which in turn implement relevant European Community law. The current controls (which apply to call termination charges—for carrying the call from the point where it is handed over by the originating operator through to the recipient's phone) have been in place since 1999. Ofcom is consulting on what should happen when they expire in 2007.

National School for Government

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the National School for Government (NSG) has spent on delivering courses related to media training in each year since the NSG's establishment; whether such courses are provided in-house or by external consultants; what is the average cost per individual participating on a media training course; and, for each year since the NSG's establishment, how many civil servants, political advisers and Ministers undertook such a course.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The National School of Government was established in June 2005. Since then it has spent an estimated total of £64,205 on provision of media training (including administrative and overhead costs), which has been recouped from the fees charged for participation. Courses are provided using the resources of both in-house staff and associates of the national school. Prices for participation in a one-day course vary from £315 for a media awareness course to £800 for a media skills course. Since June 2005 a total of 88 civil servants have attended media training. No political advisers or Ministers have attended such training.

National School for Government

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the National School for Government (NSG) provides courses on acting or role playing; and, if so, whether they will give details of those courses.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The National School of Government does not provide training in acting or role playing.

NHS: Redundancies

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people they anticipate will be made redundant in the National Health Service this year; and what the retention figures have been over the past five years.

Lord Warner: This information is not collected centrally.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to use the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to establish on a basis of parity and equality the areas in which the Ulster Scots Agency and the Irish Language Agency can spend funding, as outlined in the North South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/859).

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer I gave on 22 March 2006 (Official Report, col. WA 59). Her Majesty's Government have no plans to use the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to amend the 1999 order.

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Bullying

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to reduce incidences of staff bullying in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Lord Rooker: All departments and agencies in the Northern Ireland Civil Service already subscribe to a corporate policy on equality of opportunity which includes a commitment to "a good and harmonious working environment and atmosphere in which all workers are encouraged to apply their diverse talents and in which no worker feels under threat or intimidated".
	In support of this objective all departments and agencies operate effective procedures under which any member of staff who feels bullied or harassed may raise the issue and by which we aim to deal with any such complaints fairly, sensitively and effectively. Measures under way to improve on this position are as follows. The Department of Finance and Personnel is working with other departments and agencies to develop a new set of complaint-handling procedures to reflect current best practice.
	The same department, again with input from other departments and agencies, and through a partnership with two local training companies, is developing a new diversity awareness training module. This is specifically designed to encourage mutual respect through promoting appropriate behaviour and challenging inappropriate behaviour in the workplace or across the counter.

Northern Ireland: Customs and Excise Service

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have carried out investigations into the leaking of information in the Customs and Excise Service in Northern Ireland over the past five years.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: In the past five years HMRC (or the former HM Customs & Excise) has carried out two criminal investigations involving the alleged "leak" of information to criminal organisations by serving Customs officers based in Northern Ireland.
	One of these investigations resulted in a senior officer of HM Customs & Excise receiving a three and a half year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to cheat the Revenue. Another officer faces charges in relation to the second investigation and is awaiting trial.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to take part in the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival in 2007; and to what extent the Ulster Scots culture will be involved in those plans.

Lord Rooker: Northern Ireland has accepted an invitation to participate in the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival in 2007. The Smithsonian's curator and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure have consulted with representatives of Ulster Scots culture during the research phase.
	The selection of participants for the festival is the responsibility of the Smithsonian Institution and based on research and interview participants.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what grounds the Northern Ireland Tourist Board considered that the West Belfast Irish Festival was cross community when it allowed the payment of a grant in 2004.

Lord Rooker: NITB provided grant support of £15,000 under its Events Marketing Support Scheme (EMSS) to Feile An Phobail, the organising body of the August Feile 2004. The financial assistance was paid against eligible expenditure incurred to undertake international marketing activity. Payment was made under the terms and criteria of the EMSS and after Feile An Phobail had met the conditions within the letter of offer.
	While not a specific criterion of the EMSS, Feile An Phobail demonstrated a cross-community aspect to the event in its application by highlighting that the festival works extensively with ethnic minority groups from across Belfast and organises space to open up dialogue and involvement with all sectors and communities within Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to increase the current funding available for the community festival fund or to fund festivals from other sources.

Lord Rooker: The amount of funding for the community festival fund has been set at £550,000 for 2006–07 and 2007–08, including administration costs and support from the NI Events Company. The level of funding in subsequent years will be dependent on the outcome of the 2007 comprehensive spending review.
	There are a number of other sources of funding outside central government that festival organisers may apply to for support and details of these are contained in Annexe 4 of the community festival fund policy and guidance document, published on 13 February 2006.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a letter of offer for 2005 funding for the West Belfast Irish Festival held in August has been forwarded to the organisers.

Lord Rooker: Yes.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and bodies for which it is responsible, was agreed for the West Belfast Irish Festival in 2004; and how much was paid.

Lord Rooker: The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Funding Type Amount Agreed Amount Paidin 2004–05 
			 Arts Council of Northern Ireland ASOP* £85,000 £85,000 
			  **Lottery: Oscailt-disability access £75,000 £23,304 
			  Lottery: New Work £9,450 No payments made in 2004–05 
			  Lottery: General Equipment Grant £5,100 £4,050 
			  Lottery: Online Ticketing System £39,463 No payments made in 2004–05 
			   
			 DCAL Transitional funding—paid through Northern Ireland Events Company £20,000 £20,000 
			 Foras na Gaeilge Arts Scheme funding £12,000 £12,000 
		
	
	* Annual support for organisations programme
	** Three-year award agreed in 2001

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why in 2004 £10,000 was transferred from the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to the Northern Ireland Events Company for payment to the Greater New Lodge Irish Festival; whether the events company applied for the extra funding; and whether they will place all documents relating to the transaction in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: In 2004 £10,000 was transferred by DCAL to the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) to cover the transitional funding arrangements being administered by the NIEC on behalf of the department. The letter of allocation for transitional funding was issued to NIEC on 4 August 2005 and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Peace Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What Peace II extension funding the Training for Women Network in Northern Ireland has provided since its creation; for each amount of funding provided, who received it; for what reason; and how much was the funding; and whether a copy of each application will be placed in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The Training for Women Network has not yet provided any funding to projects under the Peace II extension programme. Following selection £3,303,415 has been allocated to 34 projects. The letters of offer are currently being issued to the 34 organisations to be signed and returned. Details of the organisations awarded the funding, together with the amount of funding and brief descriptions of the projects that are provided have been placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Peace Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What Peace II Extension funding the Rural Development Council in Northern Ireland has provided since its creation; for each amount of funding provided, who received it; for what reason; and how much was the funding; and whether a copy of each application will be placed in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The Rural Development Council is responsible for the delivery of Measure 1.11—Rural Reconciliation and Regeneration—of the Peace II extension. It has made two calls for individual project applications with the second call due to close for applications on 19 May 2006. It is processing the 179 applications received under the first call and the final assessment panel will meet during the first two weeks in April. At that stage funding will be awarded to projects.
	Under the measure it will also seek applications for specific themes. To date it has identified a need to develop rural community service centres. Under tender, it has committed £87,000 to the Rural Community Network to deliver a structured programme of service delivery development support to up to 16 communities across rural Northern Ireland.
	There is no requirement for the RDC or other implementing bodies to place copy applications in the Library and given the number of applications received by the RDC and other implementing bodies for the EU Peace II programme it would not be practical to do so. However, details of the funding committed can be obtained directly from the RDC or the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Northern Ireland: Peace Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 March concerning Peace II funding, who carried out research on the distribution of funding which showed that the targeting of funding at disadvantaged areas had been successful; when the research was carried out; at what cost; and whether they will place a copy of the research in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The research referred to in the previous Answer is the Community Uptake Analysis of PEACE II publication, commissioned by the Special EU programmes body at a cost of £28,963.75. It was carried out by HELM Corporation, in association with Trutz Haase and Jonathan Pratschke, between December 2004 and March 2005.
	A copy of the publication has been placed in the Library.

Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2006

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2006, how many instruments have breached the 21-day rule since 1997; and how many of those were caused by late publication of regulations by the European Commission.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Her Majesty's Stationery Office has maintained statistics about the laying dates and coming into force of statutory instruments since the beginning of 2005. As part of its evidence to the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee's inquiry it provided a detailed analysis of the instruments made during 2005 which were laid before Parliament (or the House of Commons) showing by department those where 21 days was not allowed between the date of laying and the instrument coming into force. The committee published this analysis on pages 35 to 79 of volume two of its report (HL Paper 149-II). No central record is kept of the reasons for breaching the 21-day rule and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Official Gifts

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether since June 2001 HM Revenue and Customs (or its predecessors) has advised on the level of duty or tax liability on any gifts received by Ministers while overseas which were worth more than the normal travellers' allowance.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information requested is not held and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Official Gifts

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What system exists within HM Revenue and Customs to record the amount of tax or duty collected from ministerial gifts, received overseas, over the normal travellers' allowance.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: HMRC does not record ministerial gifts separately from other imports on which tax and duty are paid.

Official Gifts

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice or guidance has been discussed or drawn up concerning the answering of Parliamentary Questions relating to the duty or tax liable on ministerial gifts, received overseas, over the normal travellers' allowance; and
	Whether the Cabinet Office has discussed or liaised with any other government department over the handling of Parliamentary Questions relating to the duty or tax liable on ministerial gifts, received overseas, over the normal travellers' allowance.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Information relating to internal discussion and advice is not disclosed.

Official Gifts

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether HM Revenue and Customs has received any guidance or advice concerning the answering of Parliamentary Questions relating to the duty or tax liable on ministerial gifts, received overseas, over the normal travellers' allowance.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: HMRC has received no specific guidance on Parliamentary Questions relating to ministerial gifts. Parliamentary Questions concerning ministerial gifts are considered on the same basis as all other questions.

Official Gifts: Prime Minister

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether since June 2001 any gifts received by the Prime Minister while overseas which were over the normal travellers' allowance have been declared to HM Revenue and Customs.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on Tuesday 14 March, Official Report, cols. WA 215–16.

Official Visits: Mr Jim Knight

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which institutions the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Jim Knight, will visit in his forthcoming trip to Brazil; and what are the purposes of those visits.

Lord Bach: The eighth annual Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties (COP 8) in Curitiba, Brazil ran from 20 to 31 March 2006. On Sunday 25 to Tuesday 28 March, my honourable friend Jim Knight attended the high-level ministerial segment of the conference in order to promote UK interests and achievements in international biodiversity, and made progress in a number of international agreements.
	The UK has the expertise to help other countries working toward their 2010 targets to halt the loss of biodiversity, and has funded many international projects through the Darwin Initiative.
	Ahead of the talks, Mr Knight was in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve visiting a Darwin Initiative project which aims to protect precious fish species in the area while safeguarding the livelihoods of local communities. Here, he had the opportunity to see first-hand work that demonstrates the UK's position as a leader in the international biodiversity arena.
	On Monday 27 March 2006 Mr Knight gave a press conference to outline the UK's aims for the meeting: the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity particularly in regard to poverty eradication.
	The UK Government have a strong commitment to the CBD process and working with other countries to help ensure the world's biodiversity is protected and used in a sustainable manner for all to benefit from.

Ofsted: Race Equality Scheme

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the inspection function of Ofsted is outside the scope of the general duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, as outlined in Ofsted's race equality scheme.

Lord Adonis: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Maurice Smith, has written to the noble Lord and a copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.
	Letter from the Chief Inspector, Maurice Smith, dated 27 March 2006.
	Your recent Parliamentary Question has been referred to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, for reply.
	You asked why the inspection function of Ofsted is outside the scope of the general duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, as outlined in Ofsted's race equality scheme.
	Ofsted devised its first race equality scheme (RES), in keeping with its duties under the Act, in May 2002. This contained limited information beyond a review of Ofsted's functions as, at that time, it was assessed that the function of inspection itself did not differentially affect ethnic groups. This position has changed substantially as evidenced in the consultation documents regarding the development of our RES published on our website this year. The consultation document now clearly states that all our education inspection functions have high relevance to our general duty under the Act.
	I am pleased to say that we have been in regular contact with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) on a range of matters to do with the development of our RES and our duties under the Act and are working with it on a memorandum of understanding. We undertook a review of our race equality functions in spring 2005 and intend to publish our newly revised RES in late summer 2006 following external consultation which ends in May. The draft version for consultation is available on our website. Impact assessments as part of action planning, training for Ofsted staff and inspectors and the intention to publish our findings widely are features of note.
	Please be assured that we take our statutory duties very seriously and are determined to work with the CRE and other bodies to renew our commitment to race equality.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Jacqui Smith and will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Orders in Council: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What orders in council have been made for Northern Ireland under (a) affirmative, (b) negative, and (c) emergency procedures for each year since and including 1979.

Lord Rooker: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Parades: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past three years for each district command unit in Northern Ireland, how many cases were forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service in connection with loyal orange order parades which were adjudged to be illegal because of improperly completed forms; how many prosecutions were subsequently withdrawn; and what was the cost of bringing the cases.

Lord Rooker: In the past three years, three cases, all in east Belfast, have been referred to the Public Prosecution Service in connection with loyal orange order parades adjudged to be illegal because of improperly completed forms. All the files were marked "no prosecution" by the PPS.
	The cost of investigating the cases was £8,031.20.

Peace Funding: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland received an application for Peace II funding from Altnaveigh House in Newry; and whether the application was accepted.

Lord Rooker: I confirm that the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland refused an application to the Peace II programme from Altnaveigh House, Newry. The reason for the decision was that the application did not meet the Peace II reconciliation criteria.

Peace Funding: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Since creation, what Peace II funding has been granted by the Belfast local strategy partnership; to whom it has been granted; how much funding has been granted; and for what purpose.

Lord Rooker: Belfast local strategy partnership has delivered £22,483,709 Peace II funding under measures 2.11 (area-based regeneration—Belfast, Londonderry and regional towns), 3.1 (local economic initiatives for developing the social economy) and 3.2 (locally based human resource, training and development strategies) since creation.
	Details of the projects funded have been placed in the Library.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What instruction new recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland receive in the culture and language of (a) Ulster Scots; (b) Irish; and (c) Mandarin.

Lord Rooker: All new recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland receive specific training on equality and diversity issues delivered both internally and externally.
	The first three days of induction are spent on a residential training course to explore, in a safe environment, issues around sectarianism, cultural and religious differences, empowerment, social history and reconciliation. This training also takes cognisance of wider cultural diversity issues which are explored more fully in the Police College programme. This specific equality and diversity training focuses on issues around, among other things, prejudices, stereotypes, assumptions based on people's race, religion, community background, political belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality etc. There is no singularised instruction for Ulster-Scots, Irish or Mandarin culture; rather, all strands of diversity are core-themed throughout the 21-week training programme.
	Other external speakers attend the college to deliver specific equality and cultural diversity training. In addition to these initiatives the Police College also hosts a cultural traditions evening where recruits can meet and speak to representatives from various community groups. The cultural awareness evening provides an opportunity for different traditions to give a presentation to police trainees for about 10 minutes each. Current contributors to the awareness evening are the Orange Order, the Royal Black Institution, the GAA and the Irish Language Society.
	The learning advisory council along with the Northern Ireland ethnic minority council and the association of further education establishments are currently in talks with the police college at providing language and cultural training in Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese and Russian.
	Police trainees in the Police Service of Northern Ireland currently receive no specific training in relation to any languages.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total number of Police Service of Northern Ireland full-time reserve officers who, since February 2001, have applied and successfully met the criteria to train as regular officers, but have been rejected because they are from the Protestant tradition.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that the information in respect of those campaigns where appointments have been concluded is as follows:
	
		
			 Campaign FTR Officers in Merit Pool FTR Officers Appointed FTR Officers rejected regardless of the 50:50 temporary provisions FTR Officers rejected because of community background 
			 1 98 52 34 12 
			 2 73 32 31 10 
			 3 49 24 22 3 
			 4 90 47 34 9 
			 5 99 27 69 3 
			 6 95 28 61 6 
			 Total 504 210 251 43

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Police Service of Northern Ireland full-time reserve officers have, since February 2001, applied and successfully met the criteria to train as regular officers on (a) two occasions; (b) three occasions; (c) four occasions; or (d) six or more occasions, but continue to be rejected because they are from the Protestant tradition.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that two full-time reserve officers were rejected because of their community background on a maximum of two occasions. Both officers were subsequently successful at a later campaign.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Since February 2001, what is the total number of Protestants who have applied and successfully fulfilled the criteria to train as regular officers but have been rejected because of their religion.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that in the first eight competitions there were over 28,000 applications from non-Catholics, of which, when concluded, 541 will have been rejected directly as a result of their community background.

Police: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following their change in approach to the Patten report guidelines on the composition of the Police Board for Northern Ireland, they will modify the discriminatory processes relating to the recruitment of new police officers.

Lord Rooker: The Government's approach regarding the composition of the Policing Board is set out in my response to the noble Lord on 29 March 2006 (Official Report, col. WA 127).
	The temporary 50:50 recruitment measures are being applied as a response to the imperative of achieving a police service in Northern Ireland that is more representative of the community that it serves. Our goal is to achieve a 30 per cent Catholic composition among officers by 2010–11. As we are on target to achieve this goal, these measures will not be applied after this time.
	These provisions are subject to review and possible renewal every three years, next due in March 2007, when the policy will be subject to detailed review, extensive consultation, and debate in both Houses.

Police: Protective Services

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much it will cost to bring protective services in the four Welsh police forces up to the level considered "fit for purpose" in Dennis O'Connor's report Closing the Gap.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The additional gross cost of improving protective service provision in the proposed Wales strategic force has been estimated at £13 million per annum with an additional £1.7 million to cover set-up costs. These estimates are consistent with providing the capacity, capability and resilience required to meet national standards for protective services.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial justification there is for merging the four Welsh police forces into one strategic force.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The key driver of force amalgamations is to improve the capacity, capability and resilience of the police to provide protective services to national standards. Restructuring is not a cost-saving exercise but is about providing a stronger policing service at all levels from the neighbourhood to strategic force level. Restructuring will create efficiency savings which can be used to improve the delivery of policing locally. In Wales we expect savings of around £16 million per annum after five years, which can be reinvested in policing services.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the funding arrangements proposed for setting up the all-Wales police force will conform to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's golden rule.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Funding arrangements will continue to distinguish between current and capital spending in line with the Government's fiscal framework that underpins delivery of the golden rule.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, if the merger of all four Welsh police forces into one strategic force goes ahead, resources will be moved from north Wales to other parts of Wales; and whether the present level of services to the public of north Wales will be maintained.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The new strategic police authority will need to take the particular needs of north Wales into account in its resource planning. It will be for the authority to ensure that it meets the policing needs in all its constituent areas. The rollout of neighbourhood policing teams to every area of England and Wales underpins the restructuring programme, and strategic forces will help to safeguard local policing by reducing the need to abstract officers from neighbourhood policing teams. Therefore, people will see a significant improvement in their local police service, whatever the eventual overall structure.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, if the merger of the four Welsh police forces into one strategic force goes ahead, the posts in north Wales, especially at Colwyn Bay headquarters, will be protected.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The proposed merger of police forces into new strategic forces addresses an identified weakness in current provision and is intended to strengthen forces' ability to deliver protective services to the public. All staff and police officers in post will transfer to the strategic police force on the day the new police authority and force comes into being. Decisions about deployment thereafter, including the location of posts, will be for the new strategic forces' management teams to determine within the framework of employment law and police regulations.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated cost of the proposed merger of Essex police force with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire forces; and
	What are the expected start-up costs of the proposed Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex combined police force.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The estimated cost of the proposed merger of Essex police force with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire forces is £29 million. Long-term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at around £10 million a year.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the number of (a) Essex police officers, and (b) other staff employed by the Essex constabulary will drop under the proposals for a combined Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire force.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The proposed merger of police forces into new strategic forces addresses an identified weakness in current provision and is intended to strengthen forces' ability to deliver protective services to the public. All staff and police officers in post will transfer to the strategic police force on the day the new police authority and force comes into being. Decisions about deployment thereafter will be for the new strategic forces' management teams to take.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 30 January (WA 14), what were the main findings of the tripartite working group looking at the financial implications of amalgamating police forces, including those on the level of police precept with regard to council tax; and whether they will place a copy of the full findings of the working group in the Library of the House.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Restructuring Finance Working Group provides continuing advice to inform the development of government policy, and there are no plans to produce a final report. The financial implications of amalgamating different levels of council tax precept remain under consideration. No final decisions have yet been taken.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many (a) police officers and (b) police support personnel the Home Office has estimated there will be in each existing constabulary in comparison with current staffing levels if the proposals for police mergers go ahead as proposed by the Home Secretary.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The proposed merger of police forces into new strategic forces addresses an identified weakness in current provision and is intended to strengthen forces' ability to deliver protective services to the public. Decisions about future posts will be for the new strategic forces' management teams to determine. All staff and police officers in post will transfer to the strategic police force on the day the new police authority and force comes into being.

Political Memoirs

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the terms under which (a) Ministers, and (b) special advisers are permitted to publish their memoirs and retain the profits earned from publication.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The rules for Ministers on publishing memoirs are set out in section 9.17 of the Ministerial Code. The rules for civil servants, including special advisers, are set out in section 4.2 of the Civil Service Management Code. The rules are also set out at paragraph 27 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
	In evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee, the Government have stated that the Civil Service Management Code will be amended to clarify the existing rules for civil servants, including special advisers, and make them more explicit. In addition, staff in "sensitive" posts will be required to sign an undertaking that they have read and understood the rules relating to the disclosure of official information, and the publication of memoirs, and that they will abide by the rules. Permanent Secretaries will decide which posts within their departments are designated "sensitive". These letters of undertaking will also include assignment of copyright to the government of future works.

Prisoners: Deportation

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How long before the release of a prisoner serving a custodial sentence who has been recommended for deportation the Home Office's immigration department starts to make arrangements for deportation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Following an Immigration Appeal Tribunal finding in 2000, deportation proceedings are initiated no earlier than 12 months before the earliest release date. In cases where the sentence to be served is less than 12 months, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will consider the case as soon as possible after notification that the individual is serving a prison sentence.

Prisoners: Deportation

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether prisoners serving custodial sentences who have been recommended for deportation are transferred to immigration detention centres on their release from prison pending their deportation.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: In cases where it is not possible to remove a person on the date that they complete their sentence, consideration will be given to holding them in immigration detention. Where it is considered appropriate to detain, a decision will then be made about where they should be detained in line with a protocol covering the management of foreign national detainees held in prison custody. In line with this protocol those individuals who pose a risk to national security, whose offences suggest involvement in serious criminality or who pose a known security or control risk will be detained in a prison rather than an immigration detention centre. In other cases where detention is deemed necessary, individuals will be transferred to an immigration detention centre as soon as possible. Those convicted of lesser criminal offences, who are not considered a risk to the general public, who have strong ties in the United Kingdom and are not considered at risk of absconding may be released on a restriction order.

Prisoners: Self-inflicted Deaths

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many self-inflicted deaths by women prisoners in England and Wales there were in each year from 2001 to 2005.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The answer to the Question is in the table attached:
	
		
			 Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
			 Number of self-inflicteddeaths by women 6 9 14 13 4

Prisons: Healthcare

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many primary care trusts that have taken over responsibility for providing healthcare to prisons in their area have undertaken competitive tendering for the provision of healthcare services to those prisons; and which companies have been awarded the corresponding contracts.

Lord Warner: This information is not available centrally. It is for primary care trusts, working in conjunction with the prisons in their area, to commission services based on the needs of their populations. Large contracts with private sector companies for the provision of healthcare are not the norm in the public sector prisons.
	We are aware that Her Majesty's young offender institution at Feltham has recently entered into a contract with Serco for the provision of primary healthcare services, and that Eastern Leicester PCT has recently placed a tender advertisement for the provision of healthcare services at Her Majesty's Prison Leicester.

Prisons: Special Educational Needs

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of those serving sentences in HM Prisons in England and Wales on the nearest convenient date (a) have been assessed as having educational needs; (b) have been assessed as having, in particular, basic literacy and numeracy needs; (c) have been assessed as being unable to read; (d) have been assessed as having special educational needs (SEN); (e) have attended educational classes on that day; and (f) have been confined to their cells, unemployed except for routine exercise and feeding.

Lord Adonis: The information required is not yet collected centrally, though it is held by establishments across the country in varying degrees of detail. The collection and transfer of learner data is a key area for improvement in the new Offender Learning and Skills Service as set out in the Green Paper Reducing Re-offending through Skills and Employment (December 2005).

Prisons: Women

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the answers by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 22 March (HL Deb, cols. 236–8), whether there is sufficient provision of open prisons for women; and, if not, how they intend to make such provision.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There are 17 prisons for women in England and Wales, two of which are open and two semi-open. These provide effective regimes that support resettlement needs, and we are continually developing these regimes across the women's estate. This not only helps women to achieve a better transition from imprisonment to resettlement, but assists us in ensuring they are located as close to home as possible. There are no plans at present to expand the open estate.

Productivity

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the average annual growth rate in productivity since 1997 in (a) the United Kingdom; (b) France; (c) Germany; (d) Italy; and (e) Spain.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Lord Oakeshott from the National Statistician, dated 12 April 2006.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the average annual growth rate in productivity since 1997 in (a) the United Kingdom; (b) France; (c) Germany; (d) Italy; and (e) Spain. (HL5068)
	Firstly it should be noted that there are many different productivity measures available and the choice between them depends on the purpose of the productivity measurement and, in many instances, on the availability of data. Productivity comparisons across countries are particularly difficult due to differences in sources and methods in different countries.
	One possible measure for comparing productivity growth rates across countries is gross domestic product (GDP) per hour worked. Figures on GDP per hour worked are available from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and these are derived on a suitable basis for comparing across countries. The average growth rates over the period 1997 to 2004 for the specified countries are provided below.
	
		GDP per hour worked
		
			 Country Average annual growth rate: 1997 to 2004 
			 United Kingdom 2.3 
			 France 2.2 
			 Germany 1.6 
			 Italy 0.8 
			 Spain 0.9 
		
	
	Source: OECD productivity database

Prostitution

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the nature and quality of the evidence so far received, or the research conducted by the Review of the Law on Prostitution, concerning drugs and alcohol (a) as means of controlling prostitutes; and (b) as causes or side-effects of engaging in prostitution.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have recently conducted a wide-ranging public consultation exercise on prostitution. The responses to this exercise formed the basis for the development of a co-ordinated prostitution strategy, published in January. This exercise took account of recent research, including an evaluation of the 11 Crime Reduction Projects funded by the Home Office to examine what works in tackling prostitution. This, in addition to anecdotal evidence from those involved in prostitution and those services that work with them, showed that substance misuse is a common issue for 95 per cent. of those involved in street prostitution. Substance misuse can be a cause or side-effect of involvement in prostitution and dependency is commonly linked to coercion, often complicated by the substance misuse of a "partner". The review demonstrated that addressing drug and alcohol misuse is key to developing a route out.

Religious Hatred: Cartoons

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 9 March (WA 172) which indicated that the cartoons were "considered offensive and distressing by Muslims across the world", whether the European Union Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 February 2006 agreed to investigate the identity and motives of those who circulated the more explicit cartoons of the Prophet.

Lord Triesman: At the 27 February General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting, EU Foreign Ministers did not discuss any kind of investigation into the matter. They rightly focused on the importance of developing better dialogue and mutual understanding on the wider issues involved.

Restorative Justice: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 March (WA 168), which restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland are privately funded and unregulated; what is the source of the private funding; and whether they have any knowledge of republican or loyalist paramilitary involvement.

Lord Rooker: The Government are aware that two community-based restorative justice schemes, Community Restorative Justice (Ireland) and Northern Ireland Alternatives are in receipt of funding from Atlantic Philanthropies, a charitable organisation.
	In its eighth report of February 2006, the IMC has stated that it has been told of instances of restorative justice being invoked as a means of continuing to exert paramilitary control within communities, but notes that this should not be exaggerated, and recognises that it may be part of the difficult process of transition.
	The Government fully support the IMC view that restorative justice must never be a cover for paramilitarism. The guidelines we are developing make it clear that no one involved in paramilitary or criminal activity should have a role within any scheme.

Restorative Justice: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 March (WA 168), whether they provide funding for restorative justice schemes that currently operate in an unregulated manner, irrespective of links to loyalist or republican organisations.

Lord Rooker: Organisations involved in restorative justice schemes have been awarded a total of just over £12,000 in respect of four successful applications to fund community relations and development projects unrelated to their restorative justice work with offenders. David Hanson has made it clear that funding in that area would be considered only if and when guidelines have been agreed and fully implemented by schemes.

Restorative Justice: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 March (WA 168), whether they have had ongoing liaison with the Public Prosecution Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to currently privately funded and unregulated restorative justice schemes; and, if so, whether they will state the nature of such liaison.

Lord Rooker: Both the Public Prosecution Service and Police Service of Northern Ireland have played an integral role as members of the working group which has developed the draft guidelines for community-based restorative justice schemes.

Restorative Justice: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 9 March (WA 168–9), whether before 1998 a study was carried out of the potential for a restorative justice system in Northern Ireland and a review held in August 1998 of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland; and, if so, why the initiative currently rests with self-appointed groups.

Lord Rooker: In August 1998 the Government undertook a consultation on a range of issues, including restorative justice, as a prelude to the comprehensive review of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. An earlier study of restorative justice based on government submissions tabled at multi-party talks in March 1998 formed a part of that consultation document.
	The findings of the Criminal Justice Review were published in 2000 and as a result of its recommendations, the Government have instituted the Youth Conferencing Service. Restorative youth conferencing commenced in Belfast in 2003, and will be rolled out across Northern Ireland by March 2007. In relation to pre-existing community-based restorative justice schemes, a set of guidelines are being formulated which will provide for schemes' accreditation and operation to the highest standards.

Roads: Stranraer

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans exist to upgrade the A77 Stranraer to Ayr road, including any sections that might require enhancement to dual carriageway standard within the next five years; and
	What plans exist to upgrade the A75 Stranraer to Dumfries road, including any sections that might require enhancement to dual carriageway standard within the next five years; and
	How many vehicles use (a) the A77 Stranraer to Ayr road; and (b) the A75 Stranraer to Dumfries road on a daily basis.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: Responsibility for roads in Scotland is devolved. The noble Lord may wish to write to the Minister for Transport in the Scottish Executive about his Questions.

Russia, Ukraine and Moldova

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of recent comments by the government of the Russian Federation regarding the implementation, with the support of the European Union Border Assistance Mission, of the customs agreement between Moldova and Ukraine; and what representations they have made to the Russian Government in this regard.

Lord Triesman: The Government consider the recent comments made by the Russian Federation unhelpful. The UK attaches great importance to the customs agreement between Moldova and Ukraine and its contribution to the future success and integrity of the 5+2 (Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Transdniestria, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe plus the EU and US) talks on the frozen conflict with Transdniestria. The agreement is vital to transparency and better control of the external border of a country that will soon be a direct neighbour of the EU.
	The UK deeply regrets the current blockade that Transnistria has imposed along the border with Ukraine, and sincerely hopes that this disagreement can be resolved swiftly. Together with the US and EU partners, we remain committed to resolving the conflict and look forward to the resumption of talks with all participants on 5 April.
	The UK, the EU and the US have all issued statements expressing our solidarity and support for the customs declaration. Representation at official level continues to be made.

Russia, Ukraine and Moldova

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking, through the European Union Border Assistance Mission, to achieve normal transit for Russian, Ukrainian and Moldovan goods through Transdniestria.

Lord Triesman: The European Union Border Assistance Mission (BAM) was officially launched during the UK's EU presidency on 30 November 2005 and monitors the implementation of border controls. The BAM supports the transit of legitimate trade by promoting transparency, improving controls and providing technical assistance to Ukrainian and Moldovan border guards. In relation to the Transdniestrian self imposed blockade, the EU has consistently pressed Ukraine and Moldova to ensure that working arrangements are in place to allow Transdniestrian companies to engage in legitimate trade. While it is not within the competence of the BAM to provide further specific advice, it has also encouraged experts in the regular Ukraine/Moldova facilitation meetings to advise companies on alternative routes.

Savings

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider urgent measures to increase the level of personal saving among the general public in view of recent figures indicating that approximately three-quarters of United Kingdom-resident adults have little or no savings.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government already have a range of policies to promote saving among adults. ISAs and PEPs are supported by an estimated £1.8 billion a year in tax relief. In addition to tax relief, the Government are using the saving gateway to explore how matching can help promote saving among those who do not usually save. The Government are also spending around £11 billion a year more in real terms on pensioners as a result of measures implemented since 1997.
	Following the Sandier review of the retail savings industry, the Government introduced in April 2005 a range of simple, low-cost, risk-controlled stakeholder savings and investment products.
	For retirement saving, the Government are delivering pension tax simplification which, in April this year, will sweep away the many separate regimes and replace them with only one. This radical reform which gives greater flexibility to individuals is supported by the Informed Choice programme which aims to provide individuals with greater flexibility and choice over their retirement savings.
	Lastly, the Government are playing a full and active part in the delivery of the FSA's national strategy for financial capability.

Schools: Deaf Children

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the average academic standards of deaf children in mainstream schools in England and Wales compare with those of normal hearing children; and
	When they began to collect information about the academic standards of deaf children in mainstream schools in England and Wales; and
	What provision is made in mainstream schools in England and Wales to help deaf children to cope with the effects of their disability; and
	Whether they will publish all the information they have collected regarding the academic standards of deaf children in mainstream schools; and
	Whether they have any plans to reopen special schools for deaf children; and
	Whether they will arrange for continuous assessment of the special problems of deaf children in mainstream schools in England and Wales, and for a comparison of their academic standards with those of normal hearing pupils.

Lord Adonis: I refer the noble Lord to the replies given in the other place on 7 March, Official Report, cols. 1415–16W.
	We do not collect data on all deaf children and are therefore unable to provide an average or compare the attainments of deaf and normal-hearing children.
	Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) data have been collected since 2002. Information on type of Special Educational Need (SEN) has been collected via PLASC since 2004 for those pupils at School Action Plus and with a statement of SEN. The "type of SEN" indicator includes a category for pupils with a hearing impairment (HI) and information for pupils who have HI listed as their primary SEN is set out below for pupils at the end of primary (KS2) and secondary (KS4). Publication of all the information collected regarding the academic standards of deaf children in mainstream schools would incur disproportionate costs.
	
		KS2 achievements for 11 year-old pupils1 at School Action Plus and with statements of SEN, with hearing impairments as their primary SEN, in all maintained schools, 2003–04 and 2004–052
		
			  2004–05 2003–04 
			 Number of eligible 11 year-old pupils in reading 1,493 970 
			 Number achieving level 4+ in reading 913 478 
			 Percentage achieving level 4+ in reading 61.2% 49.3% 
			 Number of eligible 11 year-old pupils in writing 1,493 970 
			 Number achieving level 4+ in writing 566 309 
			 Percentage achieving level 4+ in writing 37.9% 31.9% 
			 Number of eligible 11 year-old pupils in maths 1,510 975 
			 Number achieving level 4+ in maths 795 426 
			 Percentage achieving level 4+ in maths 52.6% 43.7% 
		
	
	1 Number of KS2 eligible pupils with a valid result.
	2 Including attempts and achievement in previous academic years. Attainment data for 2004–05 are based on revised figures, for 2003–04 are based on final figures.
	
		GCSE and equivalent achievements for 15 year-old pupils with hearing impairments in all maintained schools, -- 2003–04 and 2004–05
		
			  2004–05 2003–04 
			 Number of 15 year-old pupils 1,704 1,060 
			 Number achieving level 2 threshold 646 338 
			 Percentage achieving level 2 threshold 37.9% 31.9% 
			 Number achieving level 1 threshold 1,407 838 
			 Percentage achieving level 1 threshold 82.6% 79.1% 
		
	
	1 Number of pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year.
	2 Including attempts and achievement in previous academic years. 3 Figures for 2004–05 are revised, figures for 2003–04 are revised as this is what was used in the statistical first release.
	All pupils both with and without SEN are assessed at the end of key stages of learning. In addition, pupils with SEN may have an individual education plan setting out three or four short-term targets focusing on one or more of the following key areas: communication, literacy, mathematics and behaviour and social skills. Pupils with a statement of SEN have their needs reviewed annually.
	With regard to provision for deaf children in mainstream school, the SEN statutory framework and the SEN code of practice should ensure that all children with special needs have those needs identified and assessed and receive appropriate support. The code makes clear the importance of early identification, assessment and provision for any child who may have SEN, including deaf children. In individual cases, assessments are carried out and decisions on provision are made locally.
	The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 extended the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to cover access to education. As a result disabled children, including deaf children, seeking access to education now have rights against discrimination under Part 4 of the DDA.
	With regard to special schools for deaf children, under arrangements introduced in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the consideration of proposals for establishing, altering, or discontinuing maintained special schools are a matter for local decision-making. Local authorities are best placed to respond to the needs of pupils in their particular areas. That is why the Government strengthened local participation in decisions about patterns of provision, and removed Ministers from direct involvement in the decision-making process.

Schools: Deaf Children

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many special teachers of the deaf are employed in mainstream schools in England and Wales; and
	How many teachers in mainstream schools in England and Wales have had specialist training for coping with deaf pupils; and
	What plans they have for improving the academic standards of deaf children in mainstream schools in England and Wales.

Lord Adonis: I refer the noble Lord to the reply given in the other place on 14 March, Official Report, col. 2206W.
	The Government do not collect information centrally on numbers of special teachers of the deaf or numbers of teachers with specialist training. There is a requirement under regulations that where qualified teachers wish to specialise in teaching children with a hearing impairment they must obtain a mandatory qualification. The department approves the providing institutions.
	The General Teaching Council is in the process of updating its records of numbers of teachers with specialist training, which are currently incomplete.
	The special educational needs (SEN) code of practice provides advice to local authorities and schools on their statutory duties to identify, assess and make provision for children who have special educational needs, including children who are deaf. The code sets out a graduated approach to providing support. Many children who are deaf will have statements of SEN. All statements must be reviewed at least annually. The purpose of the review is to consider children's progress, to ensure they are achieving desired outcomes and, if necessary, to amend their statements to reflect newly identified needs and provision.
	In addition, the development of the New Relationship with Schools brings a focus on how well schools meet the needs of all their pupils. All schools will carry out an annual self-evaluation and publish a single plan setting out their priorities for improvement in which they will need to show how all their pupils are achieving. This process will highlight any gaps in achievement between different groups of children, which will then be discussed with a locally appointed school improvement partner.
	Our White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for all published in October 2005, which builds on Removing Barriers to Achievement published in February 2004, promotes a more effectively tailored education for all children with special education needs by increasing the sharing of expertise between special and mainstream schools; equipping the workforce with appropriate skills, knowledge, awareness and confidence; and promoting more effective measurement of, and accountability for, the progress made by pupils with SEN across a wide range of abilities. The White Paper also set out our plans for personalised learning. These include providing targeted support for groups of children who are at risk of underachieving, including those with SEN. We will spend an additional £565 million by 2007–08 to support schools to tailor teaching to the needs of all their pupils.

Schools: Funding

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they have planned to reduce direct payments to schools after 2007–08; and whether they will be making the temporary nature of increased funding clear to schools when the additional payments are made in 2006–07 and 2007–08.

Lord Adonis: The Government have not said they will reduce direct payments to schools after 2007–08. Funding for schools beyond 2007–08, as with other areas of government expenditure, will be determined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. In the Budget Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the Government's long-term ambition is for all pupils to have access to the same level of support and opportunities that are currently available to pupils in the independent sector. The Government will therefore aim—over time and adjusting for inflation—to increase funding per pupil towards today's private sector day school levels.

Schools: Science and Technology

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures have been taken to increase the number of teachers in science and technology disciplines in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: While current evidence indicates that there are no major difficulties in the supply of science and technology teachers to Northern Ireland schools, the Department of Education has none the less asked the teacher training providers to have regard to the need to increase the number of student teachers in science and technology subjects from within their approved intakes allocations. In addition, the department has recently granted its approval for Stranmillis and St Mary's University Colleges to offer a BEd (Hops) secondary pathway in science from September 2006.

Schools: Special Educational Needs

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the recent allegations concerning the treatment of a pupil at Woodlawn Special School in North Tyneside, they intend to introduce guidelines on the cleansing of special needs pupils.

Lord Rooker: Issues relating to the intimate care/toileting of pupils should be addressed by child protection policy of an individual school, which they are legally obliged to have in place. The education and library boards have also confirmed that special schools make arrangements with parents regarding intimate care in the context of the individual child's statement of special educational needs.
	During 2006–07, the Department of Education plans to systematically revise and expand on Circular 1999/10 (Pastoral Care in Schools and Promoting Positive Behaviour), which provides advice on codes of conduct.

Speeding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people have been convicted of motor speeding offences in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years for each area in which records are kept.

Lord Rooker: Table 1 provides the total number of convictions for motor speeding offences broken down by the seven Northern Ireland court divisions. Statistics are based on the court division in which the offence occurred and was subsequently proceeded with. Tables 2 to 5 provide a breakdown of these totals into the specific offences for which there were convictions.
	Data have been provided for the calendar years 1999 to 2003. Data beyond 2003 are not yet available.
	
		Table 1: Number of convictions for all motor speeding offences by Northern Ireland Court Division 1999–2003
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Antrim 757 633 544 696 606 
			 Ards 502 554 664 615 420 
			 Armagh and South Down 472 393 508 525 594 
			 Belfast 539 751 610 337 274 
			 Craigavon 506 556 537 428 475 
			 Fermanagh and Tyrone 722 621 558 399 421 
			 Londonderry 441 339 348 336 401 
			 Total 3,939 3,847 3,769 3,336 3,191 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Number of convictions for "excess speed" by Northern Ireland Court Division 1999–2003
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Antrim 680 596 533 685 601 
			 Ards 485 536 654 613 416 
			 Armagh and South Down 459 378 501 518 590 
			 Belfast 531 745 606 336 271 
			 Craigavon 481 531 527 421 465 
			 Fermanagh and Tyrone 661 591 545 391 404 
			 Londonderry 431 338 345 333 397 
			 Total 3,728 3,715 3,711 3,297 3,144 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Number of convictions for "L driver exceeding 45 mph" by Northern Ireland Court Division 1999–2003
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Antrim 0 2 1 0 0 
			 Ards 1 1 0 1 0 
			 Armagh and South Down 1 0 2 1 1 
			 Belfast 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Craigavon 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Fermanagh and Tyrone 1 1 1 1 2 
			 Londonderry 0 0  0 0 
			 Total 5 4 4 3 3 
		
	
	
		Table 4: Number of convictions for "R driver exceeding 45 mph" by Northern Ireland Court Division 1999–2003
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Antrim 77 35 10 11 5 
			 Ards 16 17 10 1 4 
			 Armagh and South Down 10 15 5 6 3 
			 Belfast 8 6 4 1 3 
			 Craigavon 22 25 10 7 10 
			 Fermanagh and Tyrone 18 23 12 7 15 
			 Londonderry 7 0 3 3 4 
			 Total 158 121 54 36 44 
		
	
	
		Table 5: Number of convictions for "exceeding special speed limit" by Northern Ireland Court Division 1999–2003
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Antrim 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Ards 0 0  0 0 
			 Armagh and South Down 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Belfast 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Craigavon 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Fermanagh and Tyrone 42 6 0 0 0 
			 Londonderry 3 1 0 0 0 
			 Total 48 7 0 0 0

Sport: Gaelic Athletic Association

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes to the management structure they requested before providing funding to the Gaelic Athletic Association in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The need for changes to the management structure of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Northern Ireland was first identified by the GAA. These changes relate to corporate, financial, human resource and procedural matters. The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI), which is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland, including the distribution of funding, is satisfied that there is a need for such changes and that the GAA is fulfilling accountability and value-for-money requirements of public funding. It was not therefore necessary for government to request these changes before releasing funding to the GAA.

Sport: Work Permits

Lord Pendry: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 9 March (WA 174), which employers were issued with work permits in 2005 for the following professional sports (a) Kabaddi players; (b) ice skaters; (c) wrestlers; (d) jockeys; (e) snooker players; and (f) boxers.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The employers who were issued with work permits for the above mentioned professional sports for the period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005 are set in the attached table.
	
		
			  
			 Boxer Ampro Promotions 
			  Bristol Boxing Ltd 
			  Evans-Waterman Promotions 
			  Maloney Promotions, Prof. Boxing Promotions 
			  Mayfair Sporting Club, Helliet & Rees 
			  Panix Promotions Ltd 
			  Shakespeare Boxing Promotions 
			  Tex Woodward, Boxing Promoter 
			 Ice Skater Brighton & Hove Borough Council 
			  London Weekend Television 
			  Ringling Bros.- Barnum & Bailey International Inc. 
			  Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey Int Inc 
			  Stageworks Worldwide Productions 
			  Wild Rose International Productions Limited 
			 Jockey Beckhampton Stables Limited 
			  Clive Cox 
			  David Elsworth Racing Ltd 
			  Jeremy Noseda Racing Ltd 
			  John Renfield Jenkins 
			  Malcolm Harry Bastard 
			  Mike Channon – Bloodstock Limited 
			  Patrick Haslam Racing Ltd 
			  PFI Cole Limited 
			  Ralph Michael Beckett 
			  Tall Trees Racing 
			 Kabaddi Player Coventry Asian Sports Federation 
			  Erith And Woolwich Sports Club 
			  Gng Kabbadi Club 
			  Gng Smethwick 
			  Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara, Kabaddi Club 
			  Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick 
			  Guru Nanak Kabaddi Club 
			  Hayes Kabaddi Club 
			  Jassa Kabaddi Club 
			  Medway Sports Club 
			  Sikh Temple United Kabaddi Club 
			  Sikh Temples Kabaddi Club, Walsall 
			  Singh Sabha London East Sports Club 
			  Singh Sabha Slough, Kabaddi Club 
			  Telford Kabaddi Club Ltd 
			  United Kabaddi Club 
			  United Kabbadi Club Southall Sports 
			  Wolverhampton Kabaddi Club Ltd 
			 Snooker Player The World Professional Billiards & Snooker Assoc 
			  World Prof. Billiards & Snooker Association 
			 Wrestler 1PW Promotions Ltd ,Wrestling Shows 
			  3A Entertainment Ltd 
			  Brian Dixon 
			  Frontier Wrestling Alliance 
			  Frontier Wrestling Ltd 
			  Granada Television Centre 
			  House Full Productions Ltd

Taxation

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the burden of taxation as a percentage of the gross domestic product.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Net taxes and national insurance contributions as a proportion of gross domestic product are shown in table C10 on page 267 of Budget 2006 (HC 968).

Taxation

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of how much on average, out of every £100, a basic rate taxpayer pays in tax, taking into account VAT, excise duties, national insurance and income tax.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Lord Steinberg from the National Statistician, dated 12 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question to Her Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of how much on average, out of every £100, a basic rate taxpayer pays in tax, taking into account VAT, excise duties, national insurance and income tax. (HL5088)
	Estimates of the tax burden on households are based on the ONS analyses The effects of taxes and benefits on household income, which is published annually. The published figures do not provide estimates of the total tax paid (including indirect taxes) at the individual level. Nor is it practical for the analyses to give estimates solely for basic rate taxpayers. However, this analysis does provide an estimate of the share of gross household income paid in tax, by different types of household. Estimates are provided for income quintile groups: the bottom 20 per cent. of households, the second, third and fourth quintile groups and the top 20 per cent. of households. These income quintile groups are based on a ranking of households by equivalised disposable income—a widely used measure of living standards.
	The latest analysis for 2003–04 was published on the National Statistics website on 7 July 2005 at www.statistics.gov.uk/taxesbenefits.
	The analyses are based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey (the Family Expenditure Survey before 2001–02).
	Table 3 from this analysis has been attached below. It shows the total tax paid as a percentage of gross income for all households by income quintile groups. In general households with higher income pay a higher proportion of their income in direct taxes, but a lower proportion in indirect taxes.
	Estimates of indirect taxes are imputed based on household expenditure. When comparing the incidence of indirect taxes on households at different levels of income, it should be remembered that measured expenditure will not necessarily balance with measured income for the year. On average, measured expenditure exceeds measured income for households in the lower half of the distribution.
	To give a more complete picture of the impact of indirect taxes, they are shown in Table 3 separately as a proportion of gross income, disposable income and expenditure. Table 3 shows taxes as a percentage of gross income, disposable income and expenditure for all households by quintile groups', 2003–04:
	(a) Direct and indirect taxes as a percentage of gross income;
	(b) Indirect taxes as a percentage of disposable income;
	(c) Indirect taxes as a percentage of expenditure 2
	
		Quintile groups of all households1
		
			  Bottom 2nd 3rd 4th Top All households 
			 (a) Percentages of gross income 
			 Direct taxes 
			 Income tax3 3.3 5.9 9.9 13.5 18.3 13.5 
			 Employees' NIC 1.4 2.8 4.4 5.4 4.6 4.4 
			 Council Tax & Northern Ireland rates4 4.9 3.7 3.1 2.5 1.7 2.5 
			 All direct taxes 9.6 12.4 17.5 21.4 24.6 20.4 
			 Indirect taxes 
			 VAT 10.7 8.1 7.3 6.4 4.9 6.4 
			 Duty on alcohol 1.5 1.2 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.9 
			 Duty on tobacco 3.2 1.8 1.3 0.9 0.4 1.0 
			 Duty on hydrocarbon oils & vehicle excise duty 2.9 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.4 1.9 
			 Other indirect taxes 9.7 6.7 5.7 4.8 3.6 5.0 
			 All indirect taxes 28.0 20.3 17.8 15.1 10.9 15.1 
			 All taxes 37.7 32.7 35.2 36.4 35.5 35.5 
			 (b) Percentages of disposable income 
			 VAT 11.8 9.2 8.9 8.1 6.5 8.0 
			 Duty on alcohol 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.2 0.8 1.1 
			 Duty on tobacco 3.6 2.1 1.5 1.1 0.5 1.3 
			 Duty on hydrocarbon oils & vehicle excise duty 3.3 2.8 2.8 2.6 1.8 2.4 
			 Other indirect taxes 10.7 7.6 6.9 6.1 4.8 6.2 
			 All indirect taxes 31.0 23.2 21.5 19.2 14.4 19.0 
			 (c) Percentages of expenditure2 
			 VAT 7.9 8.0 7.9 7.4 7.1 7.5 
			 Duty on alcohol 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.1 0.9 1.1 
			 Duty on tobacco 2.4 1.8 1.4 1.0 0.6 1.2 
			 Duty on hydrocarbon oils & vehicle excise duty 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.0 2.3 
			 Other indirect taxes 7.2 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.2 5.9 
			 All indirect taxes 20.8 20.1 19.1 17.7 15.9 17.9 
		
	
	1 Households are ranked by equivalised disposable income.
	2 Calculated to be consistent with disposable income. See paragraph 35 of Appendix 2 for the definition of expenditure.
	3 After deducting those tax credit payments which are treated as negative income tax (see Appendix 2, paragraph 22), and tax relief at source on life assurance premiums.
	4 After deducting discounts, council tax benefits and rates rebates.

Taxation: Company Returns

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to require companies to file tax returns using the XBRL computer language; and, if so, whether they have estimated the costs that will be imposed on small and medium-sized businesses.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: I would refer the noble Baroness to Lord Carter of Coles's report HMRC Online Services and the associated partial regulatory impact assessment, published on Budget day (22 March. 2006).
	Both documents can be viewed at www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget.

Taxation: Ernst and Young Analysis

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of the Ernst and Young analysis of taxes; and, if so, what is their response to the analysis.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government routinely monitor outside analysis of economic and fiscal developments. The Government's latest assessment of the public finances is set out in Chapter 2 and Chapter C of Budget 2006 (HC 968).

Taxation: Higher Rate

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the number of higher rate taxpayers; and what has been the increase in the number since 2001.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The estimated number of higher rate taxpayers for 2001–02 to 2005–06 can be found in Table 2.1 "Number of individual income taxpayers" on HM Revenue and Customs' website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income–tax/2–1dec05.xls.
	This table will be revised at the end of April.

Taxis: Belfast

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent the impacts of both public hire and private hire taxis' use of Belfast's bus lane infrastructure have been assessed in terms of travelling passengers and general traffic flow; and
	How the estimate of taxi flow in traditional traffic models in the development of policy on bus lanes in Belfast was carried out; by whom; and when.

Lord Rooker: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the noble Lord in response to this Question.
	Letter from Dr Malcolm McKibbin to Lord Laird dated 6 April 2006.
	You recently asked Her Majesty's Government two Parliamentary Questions relating to bus lanes in Belfast:
	how the estimate of taxi flow in traditional traffic models in the development of policy on bus lanes in Belfast was carried out; by whom; and when; and
	to what extent the impacts of both public hire and private hire taxis' use of Belfast's bus lane infrastructure have been assessed in terms of travelling passenger and general traffic flow.
	I have been asked to reply as the issues raised fall within my responsibility as chief executive of Roads Service.
	I should perhaps explain that in the Government's transport policy statement entitled "Moving Forward" published in 1998, and the subsequent regional transportation strategy, published in 2002, the department undertook to encourage modes of travel other than private car and to explore the role of taxis in an integrated transportation system.
	In 1999, the former Minister Lord Dubs decided that the Belfast public hire taxis and taxis that operate under a road service licence should be admitted to bus lanes on routes where they are licensed to operate. He also asked that the suitability of allowing motorcycles and all other taxis using bus lanes be investigated. This decision has largely directed bus lane policy development since.
	The Belfast Transport Model (BTM), which was used as part of the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan assessment process, is a multi-modal transport model of the Belfast metropolitan area, and provides a detailed representation of all motorised modes of transport in the Belfast area. The model takes account of the main highway, rail and bus networks and has a 2001 base year model and a 2015 forecast model, which are based on actual or future estimates of population and employment planning data.
	While the BTM incorporates bus and public hire taxis vehicle movements it was not considered an appropriate tool to inform the decision-making process in relation to bus lane policy.
	As regards the impacts of public and private hire taxis' use of Belfast's bus lane infrastructure on travelling passenger and general traffic flow, I can advise that following the introduction of public hire taxis into bus lanes in June 2002, surveys subsequently carried out on main arterial routes between October 2002 and March 2003 showed that the level of usage by public hire taxis during the hours of bus lane operation was extremely small and not sufficient to cause any adverse impact to the operation of the bus services.
	Translink confirmed that it had not experienced any problems on its bus operations and the West Belfast Taxi Association has also said that having use of the bus lanes has enhanced the efficiency of its service by enabling customers to progress to their destination in a more timely manner.
	Private hire taxis are currently not permitted into bus lanes and, as such, no assessment has been made of the impact this might have on bus lane operation or traffic flow. However, I can advise that the department plans to carry out further investigations later this year. These are expected to include a review of findings from elsewhere in the UK and Ireland, a review of any relevant research, traffic surveys and analysis and consultation.

Taxpayers

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many taxpayers there were in each of the past five years.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The estimated number of income taxpayers for the past five years can be found in table 2.1 "Number of individual income taxpayers" on HM Revenue and Customs' website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income–tax/2–1dec05.xls.
	This table will be revised at the end of April.

Tourism: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what basis the Northern Ireland Tourist Board requires the Orange Order to be more inclusive before it can be grant aided.

Lord Rooker: With effect from the 1 April 2006, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board no longer has responsibility for funding festivals and events. This is now within the remit of the Northern Ireland Events Company.

Tourism: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many grants made by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board were paid within (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months, or more than 18 months after the date of application.

Lord Rooker: Since 1 January 2000 there have been a total of 265 applications for financial assistance submitted to NITB that have subsequently been paid grant. The length of time between the receipt of an application and the first payment of grant varies greatly across these 265 applications and may be analysed as follows:
	
		
			  
			 Within 6 months 144 
			 Within 12 months 71 
			 Within 18 months 21 
			 More than 18 months 29

Universities: European Studies

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they fund a postgraduate certificate in European studies at the University of Birmingham; and, if so (a) at which students the course is aimed; (b) what other similar courses they fund and at what cost; and (c) whether the course gives a balanced view of the arguments for and against the European Union.

Lord Adonis: I understand that the University of Birmingham offers a postgraduate certificate in contemporary European studies, based in its School of Social Sciences.
	Domestic students undertaking postgraduate certificates will generally attract some funding for the provider from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, as long as they are not funded by another public source. The Funding Council payment would normally be small relative to the fees charged.
	Universities are autonomous institutions and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment on issues that are essentially ones of academic freedom and judgment. We do not collect information on course content and questions relating to the content of a particular course should be addressed to the university. The Quality Assurance Agency is responsible for verifying that provision meets public standards.

Vehicles: Parking

Lord Rosser: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What statutory powers are available to highway authorities to stop owners of car and van hire businesses parking vehicles available for hire on a public highway.

Lord Bach: There are no statutory powers to prevent owners of car and van hire businesses parking vehicles available to hire on the public highway. Local authorities could tackle such a problem by introducing parking restrictions. Alternatively local authorities could enforce under the Highways Act 1980 in circumstances where the vehicle is obstructing the highway or causing a nuisance.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What directions, general or specific, have been given by the North/South Ministerial Council to Waterways Ireland since its creation.

Lord Rooker: No such directions have been given.